Oyo explains evacuation of beggars, urchins, to resettlement centre

Oyo State Government has explained the reasons it is evacuating beggars, urchins and the destitute to the new facility at Akinyele Resettlement Centre, Ibadan.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Sanni, stated that the relocation was to ensure that their well-being is catered for.

She said that the ministry, had been sensitising those involved in the activities of the government concerning the relocation and that it did not just take a sudden decision to move them away.

Sanni further assured that adequate care would be given to the evacuees at the new facility, which, according to her, is more habitable and conducive.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the commissioner added that the government would not just dump them at the centre and make them suffer, explaining that kitchens, cooks, foodstuffs, mattresses, mats, toilets, washing places and other household materials available in average Nigerian homes are at the centre to aid their living.

Similarly, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, said the evacuation was not meant to dislodge the destitute but to provide a better living condition for them at the new location.

Olatubosun acknowledged the support of the Hausa community leaders, who were on the ground to give the task force tactical support before, during and after the exercise, imploring the philanthropic residents to continue to patronise the beggars in their new abode at the Akinyele Resettlement Centre.

According to him, Governor Makinde was keeping to his promise that he “won’t dislodge the people unless a better place is provided for those affected and that is why he committed a lot of resources to put up with mattresses, a clinic, and feeding for the inmates for the take-off, just to mention a few.”

In his remark, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Bayo Lawal, extolled the government for taking the bull by the horns, having successfully evacuated the beggars to “a good environment.”

He said previous governments made several attempts, but could not fulfil the promise due to a lack of political will.