The Sokoto State Government has approved the establishment of a Scrap Dealing Monitoring Committee to regulate scrap dealing, scavenging, and auto-recycling activities across the state. The approval was granted by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, PhD, FCNA, as part of measures to strengthen oversight, public safety, and compliance within the sector.
According to the approval, the committee will be chaired by Senator Salihu Bakwai, with Yusha’u Ahmad Kebbe, Sani Musa, and Engr. Abubakar Yusuf serving as members. Other members include representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of LGA, Ministry of Works, NPF, DSS, NSCDC, Sokoto State Marshal Agency, and the Registrar of Bus and Premises from the Ministry of Commerce. The appointment of the chairman and members takes immediate effect.
The government stated that the committee is mandated to monitor and regulate the activities of scrap dealers, scavengers, and auto-recyclers operating within the state. In outlining its responsibilities, the approval noted that the committee is expected to conduct regular inspections of record books, scrap markets, shops, stalls, loading docks, scavenging hubs, auto-recycling hubs or plants, and any other locations where scrap materials are stored or handled.
The terms of reference further direct the committee to monitor compliance with licensing and safety regulations, ensure adherence to laws, regulations, and guidelines issued by competent authorities, and promote consumer protection within the scrap and recycling trade. It is also required to ensure that operators take practical measures to prevent the sale of stolen, counterfeit, or hazardous materials and to comply with government policies and best trade practices.
In the approval document, the government stated that the committee is to “collaborate with industry groups to promote responsible scrap dealings, engage with communities and stakeholders to identify pervasive issues, encourage community engagement and reporting of non-compliance, investigate reports of unlawful scrap dealings, scavenging and auto-recycling activities, and enforce any regulation or order issued by competent authority pursuant to this Law.”
The committee is also tasked with conducting public awareness campaigns. According to the terms, these campaigns will “educate consumers on the risks and consequences of purchasing stolen scraps or hazardous scavenging materials, create awareness about the negative impact of unlawful and unauthorized scavenging activities on communities, educate buyers, sellers and the general public on the risks of purchasing stolen scrap or scavenged material, and promote waste reduction, recycling, and waste-to-wealth initiatives.”
Other responsibilities include encouraging the integration of scavengers and informal waste collectors into the formal scrap and recycling system, facilitating regular dialogue between registered operators and government agencies, creating a regulatory framework for tracking and recovery of stolen or unlawfully acquired scrap materials, and liaising with the Office of the State Attorney General to prosecute offenders.
The approval also provides that the Commissioner may make regulations for auto-salvage, scrap scavenging, and auto-recycling activities in the state. With the approval of the Commissioner, the committee may make standing orders to guide the conduct of its business and regulate its proceedings, while the provisions of the schedule to the law will apply to committee proceedings. The chairman and non ex-officio members are to be paid allowances as approved by the Governor.
Under Part III of the law on licensing and registration, the government stated that “not later than three months after the commencement of this Law, no person shall operate a business of scrap, salvage or auto-recycling in the State without registration and licensing by the Ministry.” It added that licenses must be renewed annually by January 1, are not transferable, and apply to all operators statewide.
