The Abia State Government has announced plans to commence the registration and enumeration of all categories of scrap and metal dealers operating across the state as part of efforts to regulate the sector, curb criminal activities, and create a more conducive environment for legitimate businesses.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, disclosed this during a strategic meeting with executives of the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) from Aba and Umuahia at his office in Umuahia.
According to a press release issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Environment, Obioma Chidinma Success, the Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, to creating an enabling environment where genuine businesses can thrive.
Ogbonna said the meeting was convened to address existing differences between NASWDEN and the Abia State Government, eliminate cases of duplicity and multiple taxation, and establish an effective regulatory framework for scrap and metal businesses in the state. He stressed that the state government remains committed to ensuring that legitimate businesses operate in a peaceful, transparent, and well-regulated environment that supports economic growth while protecting public interest.
The Commissioner also expressed concern over the increasing cases of vandalism of government infrastructure and private property allegedly linked to the activities of some unscrupulous scrap operators. He noted that proper registration, identification, and coordination of scrap metal dealers have become necessary to tackle the challenge.
Ogbonna disclosed that the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with relevant government agencies and stakeholders, would soon commence the registration and enumeration of all scrap and metal dealers in Abia State.
According to him, the exercise is designed to sanitise the sector, improve accountability, curb criminal activities, strengthen regulation, and ensure that only genuine operators are permitted to conduct business in the state.
Speaking during the meeting, the Chairman of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Uche Elekwachi, urged members of the association to cooperate fully with the government. He assured them that the planned regulatory measures are intended to promote orderliness, improve revenue administration, and protect critical public infrastructure, rather than hinder legitimate business operations.
Responding on behalf of scrap dealers in Umuahia, the Leader of the Umuahia Scrap Dealers, Mr. Emenike Ukachi, commended the Abia State Government for initiating the engagement and expressed the association’s readiness to partner with the government in sanitising the industry.
Ukachi also called for a harmonisation meeting involving all scrap and metal dealers and their various unions across the state. According to him, bringing all operators under one platform would foster unity, eliminate unhealthy rivalry, strengthen coordination, and support the successful implementation of the government’s regulatory framework.
Those in attendance included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Chidozie Oriuwa; the Special Adviser on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Mr. Emmanuel Okpechi; the Project Manager, Access Bank, Umuahia, Mrs. Awotala Yetunde; executives of the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN); and other stakeholders.
