Niger Governor Orders Scrap Dealers to Register, Bars Minors from Trade

Niger Governor Orders Scrap Dealers to Register, Bars Minors from Trade

 

 

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has directed all scrap and waste dealers across the state’s 25 local government areas to register with the government, as part of measures to formalize the trade and curb vandalism.

 

The governor gave the directive during a meeting with leaders of the Scrap and Waste Dealers Association, Niger State chapter, at the Government House, Minna, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim.

 

The registration process will require dealers to provide their residential and business addresses, Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), and National Identification Numbers (NIN). The government will also provide biometric devices to aid registration. Only licensed dealers will be allowed to operate in the state.

 

Governor Bago further warned that anyone under 18 years of age is prohibited from collecting scrap, and anyone found in possession of public or private property without authorization will face decisive action.

 

The statement noted that another meeting has been scheduled with the Secretary to the State Government, Usman Abubakar, for Thursday to inaugurate elected chairmen of the scrap and waste dealers across the 25 LGAs. The chairmen will work directly with the state coordinator on scrap, Abdusallam Sa’ad, to tackle cases of vandalism of public and private infrastructure.

 

Abdusallam Sa’ad said the registration would help sanitise the trade, adding that forms would be provided by his office and registration fees paid into a government account.

 

Muhammad Ahmad Ali, Chairman of the Scrap and Waste Dealers Association in Niger State, presented the association’s rules, which include member screening, provision of guarantors, visible identification, and sanctions for theft.

 

“The meeting was interactive, with participants suggesting ways to distinguish genuine dealers from those involved in illegal activities,” the statement added.