The Anambra State government has announced the successful clearing of street urchins from Awka, the state capital, with plans to reintegrate child beggars into the education system.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) declared that street children would no longer be tolerated in the capital city following the evacuation exercise.

The agency has issued a stern warning to the public against distributing alms or gifts to destitute individuals in public spaces. "Henceforth, ACTDA strongly warns all individuals and groups to desist from distributing any form of alms or gifts to the destitute in public spaces," the statement read.

Instead, the government is urging citizens to channel their charitable acts through accredited organizations such as orphanages, care homes, and registered NGOs where support can be professionally administered to those in need.

The statement further warned that "anyone caught engaging in the open distribution of items to destitutes in public spaces within the Awka Capital Territory will be deemed to be enabling civil disorder and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law."

As part of its rehabilitation efforts, the government plans to enroll the evacuated children in schools. The agency emphasized its commitment to keeping children off the streets, stating, "The children will be sent back to school by the agency, and we will not want to see more children on the streets."

Additionally, the government has cautioned those who use children as street hawkers to desist from such practices, threatening to apply the full weight of the law against offenders.

Mr. Chuka Nnorum, Coordinator of Child Care Initiative (CCI), an NGO, has commended the Anambra State government for its initiative towards social reorientation and clearing the streets of urchins. He described the move as "a step in the right direction" to prevent the growth of touts and hoodlums in the capital city.

"This is a welcome development and we commend the governor for that and we advise their parents and relatives to send them back to school or engage them in the One Youth Two Skills program of the state government or take advantage of the free education policy of government to send them back to school," Nnorum stated.

The government's action aligns with its broader social welfare policies, including the free education initiative and the One Youth Two Skills program, which aim to empower young people in the state.