Imo Assembly moves to check activities of scrap scavengers

The Imo House of Assembly has charged the State Government to closely monitor the illegal activities of scrap metal scavengers through the Ministry of Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs.

The house made the resolution on Wednesday, following a motion moved by the representative of Ngor Okpala State Constituency, Mr Obinna Egu.

While presenting the motion, Egu said that scrap metal scavenging should be a legitimate business that should promote the recycling of waste materials.

He, however, regretted that many scavangers had become a security threat to society.

According to him, many of them now engage in theft, vandalisation of major components of electricity transformers, spying and releasing of vital security information to kidnappers and hoodlums.

He said that their nefarious activities had become a huge security risk within and around communities and neighborhoods in both rural and urban areas of the state.

The lawmaker also said that it had become pertinent to checkmate and regulate their activities to foster a more secure environment in the state.

He suggested creating areas where scrap metal trading can legitimately take place, and restricting their activities within the designated areas.

He, therefore, prayed the house to urge the State Government to check their operations through the relevant ministry and other security agencies.

Contributing to the motion, the representative of Mbaitoli State Constituency, Mr Innocent Ikpamezie, also said that the scavengers had become more interested in criminality than scrap metal collection.

Ikpamezie also urged security agencies in the state to act fast to arrest the trend before it would get out of hand.

Similarly, the Oguta representative, Mr Gilbert Nwosu, said that many criminals had disguised themselves as scrap metal scavengers to rob unsuspecting residents.

The Majority Leader, Mr Kanayo Onyemaechi, in a contribution, said there was need for urgent action to protect the lives and property of Imo people.

The Speaker, Mr Chike Olemgbe, ruled in favour of the motion, following more contributions and votes in support.