Akwa Ibom Goes Tough On Scrap Dealers Over Vandalism

Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), Prince Akpan Ikim, has warned illegal scrap dealers and scavengers against vandalism.

He said the state government would not hesitate to invoke relevant sections of the law to bring the perpetrators to book.

Ikim said the government would longer tolerate criminal activities disguised as scrap business as some of the dealers moved with concealed weapons for other criminal activities.

During an enforcement operations at the weekend, Prince Ikim said the enforcement of the Waste Metal Scrap Law 2026, is aimed at protecting the environment, regulating scrap operations and preventing criminal elements from infiltrating the sector.

He said all the scrap dealers and dump site operators must be duly registered with the government or risk closure and prosecution.

“If you want to do scrap business, you must register. Many people now hide under scrap trading to perpetrate nefarious activities. We must regulate dump site operators, and if they fail to comply, we will shut them down,” he stated.

The AKSEPWMA chairman condemned the increasing cases of vandalism of public property and indiscriminate waste disposal allegedly linked to some scavengers and scrap operators.

“Some people vandalize government facilities in the name of scrap business and encourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse. We have uncovered several criminal activities connected to some dump sites,” he added.

Prince Ikim reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Umo Eno and security agencies to maintaining law and order across the state.

“The Commissioner of Police has zero tolerance for criminality, and the Governor wants Akwa Ibom people to sleep with their eyes closed. We will fish out every defaulter,” he warned.

While some first-time offenders arrested during the operation were pardoned after profiling and signing undertakings, the chairman warned that repeat offenders would face immediate arrest and prosecution.

Also speaking during the exercise, CSP Okwuzulike Vincent, of the Itam Police Station disclosed that investigations have revealed that several criminal suspects now use scrap business and dump sites as cover for illegal activities.

He cited instances where suspects living around dump sites pretended to be mentally unstable while concealing ammunition and other suspicious items in makeshift shelters.

The police officer commended AKSEPWMA for taking proactive measures to sanitize the sector and pledged continued collaboration with the Agency to protect public safety and the environment.

Present during the operation were the Head of Environmental Health Department, Mr. Effiong John, and IPO Corporal Hossana Akpo.