…Urges govt, security agencies to monitor ,regulate them..
By Williams Odunze
The Imo State House of Assembly,IMHA has described the activities of the scavengers of Iron and other metals in the state, popularly called,’Iron Condemn’, as threat to security of the State .
The House resolved to urge the State Government to monitor and regulates their activities of these scavengers.
The move according to them, if implemented will help in fostering more secured environment and curb insecurity in the State.
The attention of the House was drawn to the issue sequel to the motion moved by Hon. Obinna Egu, member representing Ngor-Okpala State Constituency in the Imo House of Assembly.
Presenting the motion, the Ngor-Okpala Lawmaker observed that many of the the scavengers involved in the collection of scrapped metals/iron , while going about their operations indulge in alleged illegal activities such as theft, vandalisation of both public and individual properties such as electricity poles in search of the rods by so doing damage transformers and other public installations in the various communities in the state.
Hon. Egu further observed that the metal scavengers pose great danger to the members of the public, even as he alleged that they also indulge in spying and divulging vital security information to criminal elements.
He maintained that the Motion was not aimed at discouraging scavengers from earning decent living, but regretted that what ordinarily should have been a legitimate business in recycling materials from waste to wealth has become a dangerous signal to public safety.
“I have heard stories, and it has become regular, of how these scavengers jump into people’s compounds, making away with their properties, such as generators, car batteries, washed clothes, television sets, just anything on sight.
“They have become criminal elements hiding under the cover of “Iron Condemn” to carry out their criminal acts at every nooks and crannies of the State. Now that Nigeria is seriously facing security threats, there is therefore the urgent need to know who these people are, and also curtail their activities”,he alleged.
Following the development, the lawmaker enjoined his colleagues to lend their voices in support of the motion, so as to ensure that security threat is minimized in the State.
In their respective submissions the members commended Egu for coming up with the motion, saying that it came at the right time as the State is battling with insecurity.
The motion which was co-sponsonred by other eight lawmakers was adopted after much deliberations.
The House thereafter resolved to urge the State Government to mandate the Ministry of Home land Security and Vigilante Affairs in collaboration with other security outfits to checkmate and restrict the activities of the scavengers.
The Clerk of the House,Barr Chinelo Emeghara was directed to communicate the resolution of the House to the Governor.
