The Kwara State Government has stated its commitment to regulate the operation of scavengers in the state, to ensure the security of lives and properties of the people and also increase revenue drive of the state.
Thus is contained in a statement signed by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Yakub Kamaldeen Aliagan and made available ti Journalists in Ilorin stated that, “The State Commissioner for Environment, Mallam Shehu Ndanusa Usman disclosed this at the weekend, during a meeting with the Association of Scavengers at the Ministry Headquarters, Ilorin, the State Capital.”
According to the statement, “the present administration under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is not comfortable with your operations, as it is causing insecurity in the state. Therefore, this Ministry deem it fit to regulate your activities, through an official registration, for efficient operation across the state.”
The Commissioner further explained that the Ministry will commence the registration of Scavengers industries for proper recognition whereby individuals will have an identity code and uniforms for identification.
In the light of this, Mallam Ndanusa warned scavengers in the state to stay away from criminal activities and operate by Environmental Law, otherwise will face the full wrath of the law
Earlier, the State Chairman Association of Scavengers, Mallam Musa Umah appreciated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the people oriented programme and his leadership qualities and styles, most especially, for creating an enabling environment for scavengers to operate in the state.
He however reiterated their readiness to comply and operate within the law governing their business, pledging to also partner with government to sustain healthy living, of Kwarans.
In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Hajia Afusat Ibrahim appreciated the representative of Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) and the Association of Scavengers for attending the meeting.
She then informed the Association that their registration would close on the 31st of December while the full enforcement would commence by January.