Ogun Assembly moves to regulate activities of scavengers

Following the rising concerns about scavengers’ and waste dealers in Ogun, a bill to regulate their activities on Tuesday, scaled the second reading at the state House of Assembly, Abeokuta.
The Deputy Chief Whip, Babatunde Tella, stated that the bill is aimed at promoting environmental safety, public order, and peaceful coexistence.
According to him, the bill would promote public order by regulating scavenging activities to specific hours – 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. while prohibiting operations on Sundays.
Tella explained that once the bill is in effect, it will enable local governments limit scavenging operations within their borders, guaranteeing that transactions take place outside of prohibited places.
He maintained that the bill assigns the Ministry of Environment the responsibility of monitoring and educating stakeholders about compliance, as well as proposing fines for infractions and guaranteeing lawful enforcement.
By approving the measure, he promised, Ogun would establish a standard for sustainable trash management, community peace, and environmental safety.
He said, “It will ensure accountability by mandating the registration of all scavengers with the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with law enforcement and community leaders.
“It will enhance safety by fostering collaboration between scavenger task forces and community task forces while discouraging unlawful enforcement or jungle justice.
“Also, the bill aims to protect the environment by creating a structured and monitored framework for waste recycling and disposal,” he added.
The Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Samusideen Lawal stated that it was criminal for scavengers to move around any neighbourhood as early as 6.00 a.m. adding that most of them are involved in stealing and burglary.
In his remark, the speaker, Oludaisi Elemide argued that scavenger-related problems affect the entire nation, which is why it is necessary to control their operations.
Elemide then forwarded the bill to the Environment Committee for additional legislative action.
Ogun Assembly moves to regulate activities of scavengers