Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago has launched a crackdown on the vandalism of public and private properties with a meeting with the leadership of the state chapter of the Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria.
Bago, during the meeting held at the Government House in Minna, said it was organized to find a lasting solution to the persistent vandalisation of structures and theft of public facilities.
Bago decried the continuous vandalism and carting away of valuables in private and public buildings by suspected criminals disguising themselves as members of the Scrap Association.
He explained that the government will not fold its hands and allow criminal elements under the guise of scrap traders to continue to deface structures and steal valuables unhindered.
The Governor urged the leaders of the Scrap Dealers to sanitise its activities by coming up with ways of identifying its members and helping to fish out the bad eggs among them.
According to him, ” We are going to hold another meeting with all the critical stakeholders of the association across the 25 local government areas and heads of security agencies in the state to review the operational guidelines of the association.
“We will send an executive bill to the State Assembly in that regard and violators will be prosecuted”.
He also charged the task force of the association to step up their activities, particularly at the major entry and exit points in the state in order to halt the movement of uncertified scraps.
Chairman of the state chapter of the Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria, Mallam Mohammed Ahmed, in his response, said the association was planning to introduce uniforms and identity cards as part of efforts to curb sharp practices among members.
He noted some challenges facing the Association included refusal by some LGAs to register as members and inadequate financing to mobilise the Association’s task force for proper patrol.
