The Plateau State government yesterday announced an immediate ban of street begging and exposing sick persons along the streets.
Governor Jonah Jang made the decision an executive council meeting Monday, our correspondent gathered. The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Pastor Abraham Yiljap, who briefed journalists on the decision said: “The state government has observed with dismay, the influx of beggars from unknown destinations to most streets in the state. The state government is not comfortable as some of the beggars might pose a security threat to people of the state.”
Yiljap who said the Jang administration had also placed a ban on individuals who parade sick persons on the roads in search of alms added that such persons should be taken to hospitals for medical attention, and not linger on the streets.
He said: “The street is not the best place to display sick persons, but rather such persons should be taken to hospitals for medical attention. We want to warn that such practice be stopped henceforth and all those involved should take note or face the full wrath of the law.” The commissioner said all preparations had been completed for the conduct of local government polls in 15 out of the existing 17 councils in the state and advised politicians to follow the electoral rules without bitterness.