Streets scrap (metal) scavenging baned in Warri

Scrap(Metal) scavenging popularly known as ‘lron condemn or lron damage’ no longer permitted in some areas in Warri, Delta State. 

Recall that the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu  disclosed this earlier in an interview with journalists shortly after a meeting with critical stakeholders in the state. According to him, there is zero tolerance for scrap (metal)  scavengers in restricted areas across the state. 

The SSG however said, if such iron  scavenging would be permitted in the state, there would be some form of registration processes to enable the government regularise the procedures saying, that until that is done, the ban remains.

Against this background, it was gathered that, some areas in Warri are enforcing the ban. A trader who spoke to PebNews on the condition of anonymity said they( Iron damage) are not allowed to enter places like Olomu and Ugboroke as most of them, in the guise of scavenging the metal, steal kitchen utensils that are still useful to them that they mistakenly left outside in thier compounds. 

Her words: "You know, sometimes, we leave our pots, stove and even gas cylinder outside especially when we cook outside each time we  organize party. Before you know it,  these scavengers come in the name of looking for scap and  steal them. I have even lost my new umbrella my daughter forget in our gate (to put in the house) after rain fall".

In Kotie Street popularly known as Quality Inn Road in Okumagba Avenue, a  landlady who identified herself as Mrs Faith .K. told PebNews Correspondent about the pains and atrocities the "Iron damages" have put people. According to her, they(scavengers) usually  steal generator  parts, gas cylinders and parts of packed  cars, pumping machines  among others.

Her words:" Most of the lron damage"  people are thieves. If you mistakenly leave any of your iron related materials outside, they pick them. Even when your compound is fenced but the fence is not high, they scale through to steal.

"In this our area here(Kotie Street), they apprehended some of these "lron damage" boys who stole a generator in good working condition and  parts of vehicles that were  removed  and kept on  the veranda  of their compound by the owners".

In an interview  with scraps (metal)  scavenger, who identified himself as Adamu Chirorma, about the restriction of their activities in Warri and its environs, he said, he is not aware just as he said, they usually pay for a ticket of 200 Naira on daily basis. Chirorma who brought out the ticket from his pocket to show the Correspondent said, he is not a thief but he was struggling to put food on his table. 

He said: "I nor be thief, I dey hustle  for my daily bread. Na scavenging  naim,  l dey do for my living".