In a bid to foster a more secure environment and curb insecurity in Imo State, the Imo State House Of Assembly has moved to restrict and regulate the activities of scavengers who indulge in scrap metal scavenging, otherwise known as “Iron Condemn”.
This was as a result of the Motion Chiefly sponsored by the Member Representing Ngor/Okpala State Constituency, Hon Obinna Egu, PhD, during plenary on Wednesday, 18/09/2024, and titled : MOTION TO URGE THE IMO STATE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND VIGILANTE AFFAIRS AND OTHER SECURITY RELATED AGENCIES TO CHECKMATE THE UGLY ACTIVITIES OF SCRAP METAL SCAVENGERS.
Moving the Motion, the Ngor/Okpala Representative observed that many metal scrappers (scavengers) indulge in illegal activities such as theft, vandalism of major components of electricity transformers, spying and releasing of vital security information to kidnappers and hoodlums, which according to him has caused serious security threat within and around communities and neighbourhoods, both in the rural areas and in the urban areas of the state. Hon Obinna Egu further argued that the Motion was not aimed at discouraging scavengers from earning decent living, but insisted that what ordinarily should have been a legitimate business in recycling materials from waste to wealth has, regrettably, become a huge source of security threat in Imo State.
In his words, the only voice from Ngor/Okpala said, “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 but chose to hide under the cover of “Iron Condemn” to carry out their criminal acts. They are everywhere in the state. Now that Nigeria is seriously facing security threats, there is therefore the urgent need to know who these people are. We need to curtail their activities”.
The vibrant and ebullient lawmaker thereafter called on his Honourable Colleagues to lend their voices in support of the Motion, so as to ensure that the source of security threat in the state is minimized.
The Motion which received popular support from Honourable Members present at plenary, was seconded by Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie, Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency and was co-sponsored by the following 10 Honourable Members :
1. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.
2. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.
3. Hon Clinton Amadi.
4. Hon Johnson Duru.
5. Hon Francis Osuoha.
6. Hon Gilbert Nwosu.
7. Hon Innocent Ikpamezie.
8. Hon Johnleoba Iheoha.
9. Hon Ikenna Ihezuo.
10. Hon James Uba Esile.
Showing support to the Chief Sponsor, Hon Obinna Egu, the following Honourable Members made commendable contributions to the Motion :
1. Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli).
2. Hon Engr Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu (Oguta).
3. Hon Chief Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West).
4. Hon Barrister Emeka Ozurumba (Isu).
5. Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha (Ikeduru).
6. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie (Aboh Mbaise).
In their respective submissions, they commended Hon Obinna Egu for coming up with the Motion, which was rightly described as a Save-Our-Soul Motion. According to them, the Motion came at the right time, insisting that most of the scrap metal scavengers are security threats in the state, going by the litany of woes and criminal acts associated with them, such as even cutting iron railings of walkways provided by the State Government, stealing goats and putting them in sack bags, abduction of little children etc. The Honourable Members therefore called for urgent measures to be put in place to check the worrisome activities of “Iron Condemn” Scavengers before it snowballs into what may no longer be controlled by government.
In his remark, the Speaker of the Imo State House Of Assembly, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, noted that the activities of these scrap metal scavengers have not only become worrisome but have called for urgent attention.
Satisfied with contributions from Honourable Members, Rt Honourable Olemgbe put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :
Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge The Imo State Government Through The Ministry Of Homeland Security And Vigilante Affairs And Other Security Related Agencies To Checkmate The Ugly Activities Of Scrap Metal Scavengers In Imo State, To Guarantee A More Peaceful Environment Within The State.
The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.