NPC boss lauds Ambode’s ban on hawking

Mr.. Akinwumi Ambode 

The Director of the National Population Commission, Dr. Mike Sangodapo, has commended the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, for banning street trading in the state.

The NPC boss, who said this on Monday at a press conference, said street hawking caused early marriage and contributed to poverty in the country.

Sangodapo urged other states to emulate the ban on street hawking, saying it would prevent uncontrolled births.

According to him, victims of child labour are exposed to rape and sexual assault, which lead to teenage pregnancies and uncontrolled population.

He said, “Teenage girls during puberty are usually forced into early marriage by their parents. This is too harmful for their health and the country’s economy.

“Girls who have not attained maturity are betrothed to men who have nothing substantial doing and they give birth to children with no resources to cater to them. They produce dependencies on a few citizens, whom they will look up to for survival. It is very harmful to the economy because it will not grow as a result of the increasing poverty.”

The Chairman of the National Statistical Association, Osun State branch, Owolabi Ajiferuke, advised stakeholders involved in enforcing legislation to protect teenage girls from abuse and not to allow monetary inducement to stop them from discharging their duties.