Street Begging and Its Socio-Economic Implications on Auchi Metropolis

Abstract

Street begging is increasingly noticeable in many metropolises in Nigeria with the appearance of beggars, who seem to spend most of their time on the streets and public spaces in many urban areas of Nigeria and cities of some developing countries becoming nauseating. Hence, this study aimed at examining the socio-economic and environmental dimensions of street begging and its implications in Auchi by assessing the socio-economic characteristics of street beggars, examining the patterns and nature of street begging, determining the predisposing factors to begging and understanding the consequences of the environment of the study area. Using a survey approach for the research design, with a research population of beggars only, an average headcount over one week was taken to be 621 from different locations in the study area. A sample size of 40% amounting to 248 questionnaires was taken and administered using a simple Random sampling technique. Based on the findings, the following recommendations are that Remedial measures should entail poverty alleviation measures for the street beggars, A deliberate attempt and strategy must be put in place to redirect and refocus the majority of the youthful population engaged in begging by engaging them in a rehabilitation scheme, A deliberate and conscious redesign of the existing city layout (residential, industrial, commercial etc.) plans must be put in place to discourage open spaces were beggars gather.