Lagos – The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday in Lagos called on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to direct the necessary agencies to stop underage children from hawking across the state.
The call followed a motion moved by Mr Sola Giwa (APC-Lagos Island I) under matters of urgent public importance.
Giwa said that hawking was rampant in the state and had not only brought physical harm to children involved, but also led to psychological trauma.
“”Every child is in need of special protection, the right to measure what is appropriate to his physical, social, economic, emotional and mental needs.
“The situation of children trading on streets and hawking in traffic portrays a fragrant disregard for the Child Rights Law,’’Giwa said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several lawmakers took turns to condemn the failure of many parents and guardians to give proper upbringing to their children and wards.
The House condemned the uncontrolled and unchecked hawking by underage children on the streets.
Members said that the protection of the right of children as contained and provided for in section 15 of the state’s Child Right Law (2007) was not negotiable.
The House, therefore, called on Ambode to direct the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, the Lagos State Task Force and other relevant agencies to end the menace. (NAN)
