The Edo State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging the state government to ban metal scavengers, citing escalating incidents of vandalism and theft allegedly perpetrated by these individuals.
The motion, brought forth by Mr. Kaycee Osamwonyi (APC Uhumwode) under matters of public importance, was debated and approved during Tuesday’s session in Benin City.
Osamwonyi emphasized the growing threat posed by unauthorized scrap dealers, commonly known as metal scavengers, alleging their involvement in criminal activities that target both public and private infrastructure for metal theft. He highlighted a specific incident in his constituency involving the vandalization of a secondary school, where the roof and all iron components were stolen.
“A notable incident occurred in my constituency, where a secondary school was vandalised with its roof removed, and all the iron removed and carted away,” Osamwonyi stated, adding that these scavengers often operate when residents are away, hindering apprehension.
In addition to the ban, Osamwonyi’s motion also called for the state government to establish a special task force dedicated to monitoring and regulating the activities of metal scavengers within Edo State.
Other lawmakers voiced their support for the motion, emphasizing that the proposed ban would serve as a crucial measure to protect public and private properties from further damage and restore order to communities significantly impacted by the scavengers’ activities. They echoed concerns about the increasing boldness of these individuals and the economic losses suffered by residents and the government due to their actions.
Speaker of the House, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku, directed that clean copies of the resolution be forwarded to the relevant authorities for further action and implementation. The resolution now awaits the executive arm’s consideration and response. This development marks a significant step towards addressing the growing concerns surrounding vandalism and theft allegedly linked to metal scavenging in Edo State.
