Bill to regulate the activities of scavengers and waste dealers in Ogun State, on Tuesday, scaled second reading at the House of Assembly in Abeokuta.
Member representing Abeokuta North, Mr Babatunde Tella said the bill aims to promote public order, environmental safety and peaceful coexistence by addressing the growing concerns regarding the activities of scavengers.
Tella noted that the bill would promote public order by regulating scavenging activities to specific hours – 8am to 5pm, while prohibiting operations on Sundays.
The lawmaker explained that the bill, when operational, would empower communities to restrict the operations of scavengers in their areas, ensuring that transactions occur outside restricted zones.
“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 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 said.
Tella said the bill proposes penalties for violations, ensures lawful enforcement and tasks the Ministry of Environment with monitoring and sensitising stakeholders on compliance.
He assured that by passing the bill, Ogun would set a benchmark for environmental safety, community harmony and sustainable waste management practices.
In his contribution, the member representing Ogun Waterside and Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Samusideen Lawal noted that it is criminal for scavengers to move around any neighbourhood as early as 6am.
He alleged that some scavengers are involved in stealing and burglary.
Other lawmakers also spoke in favour of the bill, acknowledging its timeliness.
They noted that the primary purpose of government is to ensure the security and welfare of residents.
Some of the lawmakers said the activities of scavengers had threatened the security and well-being of the people.
Speaker Oludaisi Elemide said issues concerning scavengers cut across all parts of the country, hence the need to regulate their activities.
Elemide, thereafter, committed the bill to the Committee on Environment for further legislative action.
