Borno may review metal scavenging ban — Zulum

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has said his administration may review the ban on metal scavenging if operators can demonstrate that their activities will not threaten security or lead to the vandalism of public property.

Zulum stated this on Saturday in Maiduguri during a meeting with affected operators at the Government House, where he also announced ₦200 million in assistance to cushion the hardship caused by the ban.

He asked the operators to submit proposals outlining how they could continue their businesses without contributing to insecurity or the destruction of public infrastructure.

The governor said the government would consider the proposals but stressed that any decision to allow the trade to resume would depend on measures to prevent the vandalism and theft of public assets.

He said the ban was imposed in the interest of the state, not to deprive the operators of their livelihoods, adding that the government had no personal interest in stopping their businesses.

Zulum accused some scavengers of vandalising schools, hospitals and other public facilities to obtain metals for sale. He also cited the alleged theft of tractors, electricity cables and other public assets.

As part of arrangements for stocks accumulated before the ban, the governor said the government had granted a two-week waiver for their evacuation and approved 72 sites for the exercise.

He urged the operators to use the opportunity to develop workable proposals for the government to consider, while advising them not to despair if the trade could not resume.

Zulum said other livelihood opportunities could emerge for the affected operators, appealing for their understanding as his administration worked to restore peace and Borno State’s former glory.

The governor imposed an executive ban on metal scavenging across the state’s 27 local government areas on 10 July 2023.

At the time, he cited security concerns, including deaths linked to scavenging activities and the alleged use of the trade by criminal elements to vandalise public assets.

He also raised concerns over the destruction of streetlights, telecommunications poles and vehicles for scrap metal, warning that such activities could not be allowed to continue under his administration.