The Kwara Government says it will regulate the operation of scavengers in the state in order to ensure security of lives and properties of residents and increase revenue drive.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Malam Shehu Ndanusa, disclosed this on Saturday during a meeting with the Association of Scavengers at the ministry of Environment in Ilorin.
“The present administration under the leadership of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is not comfortable with your operations as it is causing insecurity in the state.
“Therefore, this ministry deem it fit to regulate your activities, through an official registration for efficient operation across the state,” Ndanusa explained.
The commissioner announced that the ministry would commence the registration of scavengers’ industries for proper recognition, whereby individuals would have identity code and uniform clothes for ease of identification.
He warned the scavengers to stay away from criminal activities and respect environmental law or face the full wrath of the law.
Earlier, the state Chairman of the scavengers, Malam Musa Umah, appreciated AbdulRazaq for his people-oriented programmes, his leadership qualities and style, as well for creating an enabling environment for scavengers.
He pledged their readiness to comply and operate within the law governing their business and to partner with government in sustaining healthy living in the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Hajia Afusat Ibrahim, appreciated the representative of Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) and the Association of Scavengers for attending the meeting.
She informed the scavengers that their registration would close on Dec. 31, while the full enforcement would commence by January 2024.
