Scavengers in Ogun State may soon operate under a standardized legal framework as the Ogun State House of Assembly moves to regulate their activities through the “Scavengers and Waste Dealers Regulation Law, 2025.”
At a public hearing on the proposed legislation, stakeholders voiced strong support for the bill, emphasizing its necessity in tackling rising insecurity, environmental hazards, and disorderly waste collection practices across the state.
Representatives from the waste recycling and management sector, including the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), agreed that the lack of proper regulations had allowed criminal elements to infiltrate scavenging activities, leading to theft, vandalism, and unauthorized entry into private and public spaces.
“This bill will bring structure to an industry that has long operated in a gray area. It will ensure only recognized and accountable vendors are allowed to operate,” said Comrade Olaleka Adebakin, NASWDEN South-West leader. Similarly, Engr. Akinola Ambali and Mr. Kunle Adesanya supported the move, stressing that the absence of regulations had led to rising cases of theft, vandalism, and environmental hazards.
Community leaders, including Alhaji Waidi Adekunle from the Ogun Central Senatorial Community Development Committee and Barr. Najeem Yusuf of the Council of Seriki Hausa, also backed the bill, describing it as essential for maintaining peace and security.
The sponsor of the bill, Hon. Babatunde Tella, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Samsideen Lawal, explained that once passed, the law would establish clear operational guidelines, enforce registration requirements, and promote environmental safety.
“This legislation is not just about waste management; it is about public safety, order, and ensuring Ogun State remains a model of environmental responsibility,” Tella stated.
Lawal further noted that the bill would deter illegal dumping of hazardous materials and unauthorized access to private and public spaces.
However, in his contribution, the State Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Ola Oresanya, suggested that the bill’s provisions might be better integrated into the existing Ogun State Waste Management Agency (OGWAMA) Law, rather than creating a separate regulation.
He proposed either amending the OGWAMA law or developing a more comprehensive waste management bill.
Declaring the session open, Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to public welfare and security.
He noted that while scavenging and waste trading provided economic opportunities, their unregulated nature had fueled insecurity, environmental hazards, and rising conflicts.
“Reports of theft, vandalism, and illegal dumping have become rampant due to a lack of clear regulation. This Assembly is determined to put an end to such threats by providing a standardized framework that supports genuine practitioners while eliminating criminal activities,” Elemide asserted.
He assured stakeholders that their inputs would be carefully reviewed, emphasizing that laws must reflect the collective aspirations and concerns of the people.
“We want a cleaner, safer, and more organized Ogun State, and this bill is a crucial step in achieving that,” he concluded.
