The Ebonyi State government has begun capturing data of beggars and hawkers, especially underage ones, within the Abakaliki metropolis. 

The state Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Felicia Nwankpuma, made this known on Friday during a road walk to campaign against street begging, underage hawking, loitering and trafficking in vulnerable people.

The event, organised by the ministry’s Anti-Child Abuse Committee organised the campaign, took place in Abakaliki, the state capital.

Ms Nwankpuma described child hawking and begging, especially during school hours, as child labour.

She disclosed that the data capturing would ensure that underage people would return to school.

The commissioner added that adult beggars would be trained in skills of their choice and be empowered.

”We have made efforts to pick some and requested that they should take up skills, and we will empower them at the end,” the commissioner said.

She said the ministry was partnering with the state Ministry of Health and Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, to embark on treatment of mentally-ill people on the streets. 

“We will start with four persons, watch the progress and gradually pick them one after the other for treatment because some are not completely mentally deranged but depressed,” Ms Nwankpuma said.

She said the campaign would be carried out in collaboration with royal fathers, community leaders and other stakeholders to properly identify and support the individuals.

(NAN)