Nearly three weeks after Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike ordered the removal of roadside hawkers, beggars, and urchins from Abuja streets, the directive appears to have had little lasting impact.
Initial compliance was observed when a special task force began enforcing the order on October 28, 2024. However, investigations by Arewa Voice reveal that the individuals returned to their usual locations once the task force withdrew, resuming their activities with apparent impunity.
Hotspots of Defiance
Areas such as Katampe by Winners Chapel Junction, Dawaki bypass, and major routes like the Apo Mechanic axis have become hotspots for hawkers and beggars. Reduced road sizes due to ongoing construction projects have created opportunities for these traders to display their wares, while beggars solicit alms from motorists.
Voices of the Affected
Some of the street traders have expressed desperation, citing lack of alternative livelihoods as their reason for defying the minister’s directive. One of them, Ali Yaro, said, “Where do they want us to relocate to when we have no other source of income apart from begging and selling on the road?”
Enforcement Challenges
Despite Minister Wike’s stern warning of October 28, where he vowed to deal “ruthlessly” with violators, there is no visible enforcement by security agencies or the special task force. Speculation is rife as to whether the task force has been disbanded or if the order has been relaxed.
Minister’s Initial Stance
Wike had declared war on street hawking and begging, describing it as a security threat and an embarrassment to the FCT. He had promised to remove offenders from the city to restore its status as a modern capital, stating, “We will pack them out… it is embarrassing that people who come in, the first thing they see are just beggars on the road.”
Way Forward
The persistence of these activities raises questions about the effectiveness of the minister’s strategy and highlights the need for sustainable solutions, including employment opportunities and rehabilitation programs, to address the root causes of street hawking and begging in the FCT.
