Kiran Urges Action on Beggars and Street People in Nadi

Nadi Town Council special administrator Prem Singh is hopeful the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Shashi Kiran, would urgently look into the escalating number of street dwellers in Nadi.

“Religious organisations and some others have been conducting street feeding ministries and other outreach programmes with street dwellers should involve the government ministry concerned,” Mr Singh said.

“Social welfare should be involved in anything to deal with the street people or beggars to ease the problem of unnecessary loitering.

“There should be constant monitoring and follow-ups. There needs to be stringent process in place where we can involve other government agencies like iTaukei, land, education.”

Ms Kran replied: ” It is through the work of collaboration that will tackle the issue of beggars and street people.”

She made the statement during a meeting with the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry members at the Nadi Town Chambers in Nadi last Friday.

“Different organisations are coming together like churches, and non-governmental organisations. We need to find a solution on what we can do and how much we can do,” she said.

“Our social welfare office in Nadi deals with the most complicated cases compared to anywhere else in the district. This is the most difficult type of case when it comes to the Nadi office. You know the police deals with some of the very complex cases from here related to drugs, violence within the family and the drug aggression within the family.

“I found a man selling a flag during Independence Day. He was using a child who was partially blind. I was able to assist to get them in Koroipita because the child cannot be used for begging. The guy has since left Koroipita and returned to Nadi.

“Many of them find begging profitable. Our concern is children shouldn’t be used to begging. The challenge is to have them appreciate the assistance given to them in terms of housing for one.

“Mental health is also a challenge that although there is a mental health care institution family members make no effort in taking them there. That is the challenge.”

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