By Omolara Adasofunjo
A bill to regulate the activities of Scavengers and waste dealers in Ogun State to promote Public Order, Environmental Safety and Peaceful Coexistence has scaled second reading at the Ogun State House of Assembly.
Opening debate on the bill, Dr Babatunde Tella said it was aimed at addressing the growing concerns over the activities of scavengers in the state and expressed optimism that the bill would promote public order by regulating scavenging activities to specific hours, suggesting 8:00a.m to 5:00p.m while also prohibiting their operations on Sundays.
Dr Tella postulated that the bill, when operational would empower communities to restrict scavenging activities in their areas, stipulate penalties for violations, ensure lawful enforcement, and saddle the Ministry of Environment with the responsibility of monitoring and sensitizing stakeholders on compliance.
In a submission, the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Mr Samusideen Lawal noted that it was criminal for scavengers to move around the neighbourhood as early as 6:00a.m alleged that some scavengers were involved in stealing and burgling.
Other contributors were also unanimous in their submissions that the activities of the scavengers had continued to threaten the security and well-being of the people.
The Speaker, Mr Oludaisi Elemide who pointed out that scavengers were operating across the country emphasized the need to regulate their activities and later assigned the bill to the Committee on Environment for further legislative action.
Meanwhile, a bill to establish the Young Farmers Club at Basic and Senior Secondary Schools in Ogun State was equally considered during the plenary.
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