No fewer than seven women and 25 children from Ezzah, Ebonyi State have been taken off the major roads in Nnewi by the joint task forces from the ministries of Social Welfare, Children and Women Affairs and Transport.

The sanitisation of the commercial city is aimed at riding the state of beggars who roam about the roads seeking alms from motorists and passersby.

Recall that same sort of operation took place in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State some months ago led by Commissioner for Social Welfare, Ndidi Mezue.

The beggars after being picked off the roads are relocated to a shelter in Nteje built by the wife of state governor, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano.

Speaking shortly after the raid in Nnewi, Mezue regretted the ugly behaviour of some women who use their wards for alms thereby exposing them to harsh conditions.

She restated the State Government is resolved to rid the state of street beggars and miscreants.

She added: “The raid being carried out by joint task forces from the Ministries of Social Welfare, Children and Women Affairs and Transport is targeted at sanitising the state.

“The action is also aimed at paving way for easy flow of traffic as well as enhance the aesthetic beauty of the city.”

Speaking to journalists, some of the arrested beggars said they resorted to begging due to financial difficulties and urgent need to make a living.

One of them, Mrs. Cecilia Nwankwo, confessed she made about N1,500 daily.

“I don’t really like what I’m doing. But I just don’t have any other option than to beg in order to feed my children,” she stated.

The arrested beggars were later brought to Awka, the state where the adults among them would be rehabilitated, while the children would be enrolled into schools.

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