A bill presented to the Katsina State House of Assembly assembly by Gov. Aminu Masari, seeking the prohibition of street begging, has scaled second reading in assembly during plenary on Monday.
The bill was first read before the assembly on June 30 by the Majority Leader, Alhaji Abubakar Abukur.
Abukur said that the bill sought to complement the ongoing efforts by the state government at repatriating Almajiris to their home states as well as sanitising the Tsangaya system of education.
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According to the majority leader, the bill, if passed, will help in addressing the menace of street begging. He explained that most of the children roaming the streets grew up to become threats to national security.
The lawmaker stated that if the bill eventually became law, it would provide a four-year sentence for defaulters or an option of an N10,000 fine. He added that anyone found guilty for the second time would be taken to his/her country, state or local government of origin.
Reports have it that the bill scaled the second reading, following series of deliberations by the lawmakers during the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Tasi’u Maigari.
Maigari said that members of the assembly would continue to deliberate on the bill due to its importance to the development of the state. The Joint Committee on Religious Affairs and Social Development is expected to present its report on the bill within six-week.
