The Delta State Government has dismissed claims of deporting a female beggar who was allegedly constituting a nuisance in Asaba, the capital city.
Last week, there were reports that the state government deported a female beggar who is originally from Anambra state.
In a statement released on Sunday, April 9, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olisa Ifeajika, refuted the claim. He stated that 32-year-old Ogochukwu Nwabude, who always clutched a baby, stayed at the Inter Bau Roundabout on the Asaba-Okpanam Road, for about two weeks begging for alms. He said a check was conducted on the woman by officials of the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. Thereafter they “returned” her to their counterparts in Anambra.
“After observing her for a period, it was revealed that she was stable and of sound mind, but needed financial help. And moved by her need, and as with standard procedure in handling such matters, the ministry gave her some assistance, especially as she was with a baby. Thereafter, it returned her to its counterpart Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Anambra for necessary support.
The Anambra State Government was grateful to its Delta counterpart for the effort and promptly began the process of assistance to the woman. The Delta government acted in good faith and within the ambit of regulations, which the Anambra State Government acknowledged with gratitude.
It is necessary to state that other states in the country had returned some of our citizens to us at different times and still do. It is a normal routine that should not be politicised because it bothers on serious humanitarian service. What the Delta government did was the routine procedure in rehabilitating persons of that nature and it is the standard practice among states in the country.
We provided her with some assistance and returned her to her state of origin to ensure that she is properly re-integrated into society.”he said
