The Abia State Government has issued a directive mandating all scrap dealers in the state to register their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and obtain identification numbers for traceability and accountability.

The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Trade and Investment have designed strategies to curb the criminal activities of illegal dealers, which include registration, obtaining of Corporate Affairs Commission certificates and Abia State Social Identification Number.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, who addressed members of the Scrap Metal Association in Umuahia, expressed worry about the theft of government properties like manhole covers, school properties and others, pointing out that scavengers and metal scrap dealers in the state should operate within legal frameworks.

The government emphasized that the new directive would help in strengthening security surveillance and enabling proper regulation of the sector

Also, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha, told the scrap dealers to formally register their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and obtain Abia State Social Identification Number, ABSSIN to ensure transparency.

Nwokocha has asked the dealers to organize themselves well to verify the identity and source of materials brought in by scavengers which he said, would prevent the sales of stolen public infrastructure.

Responding on behalf of Scrap Metal Association, Mr. Chukwudi Onwukaeme and Mr. Okeke Ogwuegbu welcomed the initiative, affirming their readiness to cooperate with the state government to identify and sack bad eggs in the scrap business.

Non-compliant dealers risk closure of operations and possible prosecution if found engaging in unauthorized activities.