A bill to regulate the activities of Scavengers and waste dealers in Ogun state to promote Public Order, Environmental Safety and Peaceful Coexistence on Tuesday scaled second reading on the floor of the Ogun state house of Assembly presided over by the speaker Rt Hon. Oludaisi Elemide.
Opening debate on the bill during plenary this Tuesday ,Assemblyman Babatunde Tella representing Abeokuta North State Constituency, said the bill was aimed at addressing the growing concerns regarding the activities of scavengers in the state.
The lawmaker noted that the bill tends to promote public order by regulating scavenging activities to specific hours with suggestion of 8:00a.m to 5:00p.m and also prohibiting operations on Sundays.
He explained that the bill when operational would empower communities by allowing them to restrict scavenger operations in their areas, ensuring transactions occur outside restricted zones just as he said it will ensure
accountability by mandating the registration of all scavengers with the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with law enforcement and community leaders.
He noted that the bill proposed penalties for violations, ensures lawful enforcement, and tasks the Ministry of Environment with monitoring and sensitising stakeholders on compliance just as he
stressed that by passing the bill, Ogun State would set a benchmark for environmental safety, community harmony, and sustainable waste management practices.
In his submission, Assemblyman Samusideen Lawal
representing Ogun Waterside State Constituency and the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, noted that it was criminal for scavengers to move around neighbourhood as early as 6:00a.m.
He alleged that some scavengers were known to be involved in stealing and burglary.
Other lawmakers who contributed including Bisi Oyedele,Adegoke Adeyanju , Waliu Owode also spoke in favour and timeliness of the bill.
They noted that the primary purpose of government was to ensure security and welfare of residents.
The lawmaker explained that the activities of the scavengers threatened security and wellbeing of the people.
The Speaker, explained that the issue of scavengers is common in all parts of the country and there was the need to regulate their activities.
Rt Hon. Elemide, thereafter, committed the bill to the Committee on Environment for further legislative actions
Similarly, a bill to establish the Young Farmers Club at Basic and Senior Secondary Schools in Ogun State scaled first reading during plenary.
