In it’s effort to curb criminal activities in the State, the Abia State Government has mandated scrap dealers operating in the State to obtain Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, certificate and Abia State Social Identification Number.
The move the Government stated is to address the theft of government and private properties by scavengers and other illegal scrap dealers in the State.
This was disclosed by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Trade and Investment. They maintained that the policy is designed to curb the criminal activities of illegal dealers.
The scrap dealers are mandated to do registration, obtain a Corporate Affairs Commission Certificates, CAC, and Abia State Social Identification Number, ASSIN.
Addressing members of the Scrap Metal Dealers Association, the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna expressed concerns over the activities of scrapers.
He said the scavengers have been involved in the theft of government property like manhole covers, school properties and others.
This is as he warned that scavengers and metal scrap dealers in the State should operate within legal frameworks.
Ogbonna listed the regulations to include registration, enforcement and community collaboration.
He, however, urged community leaders in the State to monitor the activities of the scavengers in their localities.
Also, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha, spoke in the light
He told the scrap dealers to formally register their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). And to also obtain Abia State Social Identification Number, ABSSIN to ensure transparency.
Nwokocha urged the dealers to organize themselves and to verify the identity and source of materials brought in by scavengers. He stated that this would prevent the sales of stolen public infrastructure.
Responding on behalf of Scrap Metal Association, Chukwudi Onwukaeme and Okeke Ogwuegbu welcomed the initiative. They affirmed their readiness to cooperate with the State Government to identify and sack bad eggs in the scrap business.
source: Daily Post