By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

The Ondo State House of Assembly has emphasised the need for legislation to regulate the activities of scavengers across the state.

Raising the matter under urgent public importance during a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Chief Olamide Oladiji, the House, in its resolution, stressed that scavengers should be registered and provided with uniforms for proper identification.

The lawmakers observed that scavenging had taken a new dimension to the detriment of Ondo State residents, with operators increasingly involved in criminal activities, including rape, theft, and actions that threaten peaceful inter-ethnic relations.

The House noted that many scavengers trespass on private properties, violating people’s rights and assaulting law-abiding citizens.

To curb the rising criminal activities linked to scavengers, the House resolved that a multifaceted approach was necessary.

It urged the state government, through the Ministry of Environment, to enforce existing regulations governing scavenging, particularly in areas of environmental protection, public health, and safety.

The lawmakers further resolved that local government chairmen must take decisive action by ensuring that all scavengers are registered and issued identity cards.

They suggested that this could be achieved through field surveys, oral interviews, and other data collection methods.

Additionally, the House stressed the importance of tracking and regulating individuals supplying materials to scavengers, stating that proper data collection would enhance oversight.

It also urged landlords to take responsibility for ensuring that scavengers do not operate unlawfully within their communities.

As part of its resolutions, the House directed law enforcement agencies to arrest any unregistered scavengers, as a measure to curb criminal activities and ensure adherence to regulations.

It further emphasised the need for collaboration between the state government, through the Ministry of Environment, local government authorities, and security agencies to ensure the effective enforcement of laws regulating scavenging.

The House expressed confidence that these measures would help regulate scavenging activities, curb criminal behaviour, and promote a safer and healthier environment for all residents.

During deliberations, the House acknowledged that scavenging plays a significant role in waste management by facilitating reuse and recycling, which in turn benefits the environment.

It noted that scavenging provides employment opportunities, reduces reliance on costly raw materials, lowers waste disposal costs, and minimises the need for extensive collection and transport infrastructure.

The lawmakers pointed out that scavenging is common in developing countries due to high unemployment rates, widespread poverty, and the absence of social safety nets.

They cited studies indicating that 70 per cent of scavengers are male, while 30 per cent are female. The statistics further revealed that around 30 per cent of scavengers are under 15 years old, 20 per cent are between 16 and 25 years old, and 35 per cent fall within the 26 to 35 age bracket.

The House observed that a significant number of scavengers operating in Ondo State are young people.

The House also raised concerns over the health risks associated with scavenging, noting that waste pickers are frequently exposed to hazardous materials at landfill sites, which could serve as transmission points for diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tetanus.

While acknowledging the economic benefits of scavenging, the lawmakers stressed the need to assess its profitability within the waste recycling sector and explore ways it could generate wealth for both the public and the government.