Operators of scavenging sites in Ikwerre Local Government Area have come under scrutiny, as the council chairman, Hon. Charles Wobodo, has vowed to clamp down on anyone using such sites for illegal dealings.
In signed documents issued on Friday by Wariso Wariso, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman (KELGA), noted that Hon. Wobodo, who made this known during a surprise inspection at a scavenging site near Elele market, expressed displeasure over the discovery of large quantities of hidden scraps suspected to be linked to criminal activity.
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He emphasised that the local government would not tolerate any operation that serves as a cover for theft or other unlawful acts.
“If anybody is caught anywhere in the process of bringing anything here, I will come back to seize the place. It will become LGA property,” Wobodo declared, adding that the council wants to make sure the issue of criminality stops in the area.
The council boss said the inspection formed part of KELGA’s ongoing efforts to rid the area of crime and maintain order. He directed the site owner to suspend activities immediately and warned that failure to comply could lead to permanent closure.
Wobodo further appealed to scavengers to conduct their businesses responsibly, insisting that the council was not against legitimate livelihood but would not allow scavenging to become a front for theft.
“Anyhow you want to do it, I don’t want a problem, but we don’t want to hear that somebody in the course of picking something, they stole something,” he said.
Security agencies in the area have been placed on alert to monitor all scrap yards and report suspicious activities, as part of measures to strengthen community safety.
