Niger House of Assembly sets to regulate scavenging, protect children from exploitation
By: TUNDE BOLAJI MINNA.
Law makers of the Niger State House of Assembly has passed the second reading of a bill aimed at regulating the activities of scavengers and scrap metal dealers across the state.
The proposed legislation seeks to address the growing concerns over social vices linked to the trade and to protect underage children from exploitation.
This bill was Presented during plenary on Tuesday, by Hon. Murtala Adamu Badaru, who represents Suleja Constituency.
He emphasized that while scavenging serves as an informal method of recycling, its unchecked spread has led to increased incidents of theft, armed robbery, and child labour.
According to him, the bill was necessitated by the rising activities of scavengers operating within residential areas and the negative consequences that have followed.
“This law is going to protect vulnerable children who are sometimes taken out of school, some underage who are sent by their parents but choose to join scavenging because of the money in it,”
“Badaru therefore expressed concern over the growing trend of schoolchildren abandoning education for stipends offered by scrap dealers,”.
He added that the bill would help discourage this practice.
If passed, the bill will mandate the relocation of scavenging operations to designated sites provided by local government authorities.
It also outlines strict penalties for individuals who engage underage children in the business.
Furthermore, the legislation includes provisions for mandatory registration and identification of scavengers, which Badaru said would help prevent criminal infiltration and ensure accountability.
The bill defines who qualifies as a scavenger, what constitutes the business, and empowers local councils to enforce compliance.
The House has referred the bill to the Joint House Committee on Environment, Judiciary, and Legal Matters for further review and public input before its final passage.
