The Anambra State Government has issued a ban on the distribution of food, cash, and other gifts to street beggars and children in public spaces, especially under the Aroma Bridge in Awka and similar locations.
The move also includes a prohibition on all forms of public begging, loitering, and street trading beneath city bridges. The directive, according to the state, aims to preserve the dignity and order of the state capital.
In a statement released by Ossy Onuko, Managing Director of the Anambra State Capital Territory Development Authority, the government warned that anyone found violating the directive will be arrested and prosecuted. The crackdown targets individuals and groups whose activities encourage street congregation and hinder the capital city’s sanitation and security efforts.
Onuko particularly called out content creators, philanthropists, and charity groups who regularly give out food and money in public, noting that while their intentions may be noble, such actions unintentionally support a cycle of loitering and expose children to various risks including accidents, abuse, and crime.
The government urged that all charitable acts be carried out through accredited institutions such as orphanages, care homes, and registered NGOs. This approach, it noted, would ensure that help reaches the truly needy in a safe, structured, and dignified manner. The public was also encouraged to cooperate with authorities to maintain Awka’s status as the organized face of Anambra State.
