Cross River State House of Assembly has tasked the state government to direct relevant agencies to evacuate street children in Calabar metropolis.
The House advised that the children should be placed in a rehabilitation centre where they would be engaged in skills acquisition.
The House had adopted the prayers of the Member representing Bakassi State Constituency, Eyo Bassey Edet, who moved the motion for the rehabilitation of the street children.
Opening the debate, the Bakassi Lawmaker decried the presence of many children loitering the streets of Calabar metropolis.
He said these children constitute a menace to the society, as they sometimes turn violent and rob innocent citizens, adding that some would grow up to become cultists, kidnappers and armed robbers.
“ The existence of street children in Calabar is an eyesore. Children as young as six years who are supposed to be with their parents or in schools, are exposed to hunger, poverty and all sorts of abuse.
“These children lack the basic needs, which is contrary to the Child’s Rights Law of 2023. It is worrisome. It will negatively affect the tourism potential of the state,” Edet stated.
The lawmakers observed that, under effective management, some of the children could become useful to the society if given the chance.
They further observed that mony of these children are from neighbouring states and that may need to be profiled and returned to their states of origin with the hope of reuniting them with their families.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, reiterated the urgency of rehabilitating the street children.
He described how he rescued a woman who was being attacked with razor blades by these children who made away with their victim’s valuables before running away.
Ayambem reiterated Otu’s commitment to restoring the tourism potentials of the state, adding that the presence of the street children is detrimental to the aesthetics and security of the state capital.
