Wike declares war on street begging in Abuja, gives Sunday ultimatum 

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared war on beggars, stating that enforcement agents will begin to apprehend beggars from Monday.

Wike disclosed this during the official flag-off ceremony of the construction of an access road from Ring 1 by N16 to Judges’ quarters and roads within the quarters in Katampe District of Abuja on Tuesday.

He said, “Let me state clearly that we have declared war; Abuja is turning into a beggar city.

“If you know you have a sister or brother who is a beggar, please, from next week, we’ll carry them. We’ll take them out. It is embarrassing that people will come in and the first thing they’ll see are just beggars on the road.

“Sometimes, they may be criminals pretending to be beggars. We will not allow that. So, I’m giving you a public holiday from now until Sunday. From Monday, we will pack them out.”

According to Wike, this move is part of the administration’s strategy to restore Abuja’s image and ensure the city competes favourably with other major cities worldwide.

He added, “Let everybody know that we owe a duty to make sure Abuja competes favourably with cities of the world. We can replicate what we see overseas here, and as far as road infrastructure is concerned in Abuja, we are not going to compromise; we will use the best contractors.

“A lot of people have said that we are concentrating on Abuja; that is not correct. As I speak to you, tomorrow, Thursday, we’ll be at the area councils. On Monday, we’ll be in Kuje, Gwagwalanda, and Kwali.

“This December, we’re commissioning six roads that will total about 65 kilometres in the area councils. The attention we give to the city is the attention we give to the area councils.

“But of course, it is the city that will tell you how the place will be. If the city does not look good, you can imagine what will happen in the rural areas.”

Beyond roads, Wike has also disclosed the administration’s plans to rehabilitate 25 schools and bolster security measures.

“We are not concentrating on roads alone. We have not less than 25 schools to be rehabilitated because you can’t believe that in a city like Abuja, you’ll just go to the schools and you’ll ask yourself, Is it Abuja at all? We have taken it upon ourselves that our schools will be like schools, and anybody can say they are good schools,” he said.