The Niger State Government has met with the leadership of the state chapter of the Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria to seek solutions to the persistent vandalisation of structures and theft of public and private property across the state.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, the meeting held at the Government House in Minna was convened by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
Governor Bago decried the continuous vandalisation and carting away of valuables in public and private buildings by suspected criminals disguising themselves as members of the Scrap Association.
He stressed that the government will not fold its arms and allow criminal elements under the guise of scrap dealers to continue defacing structures and stealing valuables unhindered.
The governor urged leaders of the Scrap Dealers Association to sanitise their operations by introducing effective means of identifying members and fishing out bad elements among them.
He added that another meeting with critical stakeholders of the association across the 25 local government areas, alongside security agencies, will soon be convened to review operational guidelines. He also revealed that an executive bill may be sent to the State Assembly to regulate the activities of the association, warning that violators would face prosecution.
Governor Bago further charged the association’s task force to intensify activities, especially at major entry and exit points across the state, to curb the movement of uncertified scrap.
Chairman of the state chapter of the Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria, Mallam Mohammed Ahmed, disclosed that the association plans to introduce uniforms and identity cards as part of efforts to check sharp practices among members.
He highlighted challenges facing the association, including refusal by some local governments to register their members and inadequate financing to mobilise the task force for proper patrol.
Mallam Ahmed thanked the governor for convening the meeting and solicited government support to help curb the purchase and sale of stolen scrap items.
