Kaduna beggars disappear as Naira scarcity persists
Story from Saleh INUWA, Kano
Beggars along the popular Kano Road, Kaduna Central Market, and some elderly foreign nationals with their children plying the popular Ahmadu Bello Way, begging for alms, have almost disappeared since the new currency was introduced.
Although 2 years ago, the Kaduna State Government built a permanent abode for beggars and took them off the streets, but many complained of being hidden from the public, as such some of them left Kaduna while others died.
As such, they left the apartments for Kano road, Ahmadu Bello Way, Makarfi Plaza and other popular places.
However, following the Naira redesign policy of the federal government, several beggars, including some Nigerians, are no longer seen asking for alms as usual, because people don’t have money to give.
Speaking to the press in Kaduna, one of the beggars identified as Malam Nasir Idris, said unlike in the past, when he used to realize over N3,000 daily, now all the customers are asking for an account number which he does not have.
“Most customers, who assisted me in the past, cry of scarcity of money. Those who give me N300 before, ended up asking me for account number, which I don’t have”, he said.
Also, Ahmed Jibril, a beggar at Taiwo road who relocated to the permanent abode built for them by the state government, told the press that for two weeks, he had not made N200.
According to him, some good samaritans bring food for them in the morning or evening.
He added that life is difficult, and prayed to God to help soften the hardship experienced across the country.
