As part of steps being taken to check criminal activities in the State, the Abia State government has inaugurated a task force on scrap and waste business in the State.
Inaugurating the task force on Tuesday at the State’s Ministry of Trade and Investment, Umuahia, the Commissioner, Chief John Okiyi Kalu said that the task force was a child of necessity to rid the state of illegal scrap and waste dealers constituting untold hardship to citizens.
He said that members of the task force have been properly profiled and approved by the governor himself.
“All of us love Abia State and we must love her fully. This task force became a necessity for the good of the state. It will put an end to the incessant reports of burglary and other criminal ventures arising from the activities of some scrap dealers across the State.
“Our target is to promote genuine businesses and support investors to grow their business in the state”, he said.
The Commissioner cautioned members of the task force to desist from extortion and harassment of citizens. He also charged them to support efforts of the government in ridding the state of reported criminality associated with illegal scrap and waste dealers.
He further charged them to ensure that source of every metal scrap in the State is duly verified before it is sold.
“The task force has the responsibility of enforcing government directives. You must wear your vests and identity cards during your work period, as those who do not will be severely sanctioned”, he cautioned.
Chief John Okiyi Kalu while charging the task force operatives to arrest illegal scrap and waste dealers and hand them over to the police for prosecution, said the scrap and waste business must follow laid down rules to be operational as this will sanitize the business in the State.
Those in attendance during the inauguration include the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Chief Sir Michael Egwu, Director of Commerce, Elder Mecha Udensi, Director of Finance, Lady Maria Nwariaku and other top management staff of the ministry.
