FG declares war on scrap metal theft, vandalism

From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja The Federal Government has moved to end the theft and vandalism of public infrastructure through tighter regulation of Nigeria’s scrap metal industry. The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, said the proposed 2026 Scrap Metal Regulations would sanitise the sector, protect critical national assets and boost local steel production. Audu, represented by the Director, Metallurgical Raw Material Development and Investment Promotion Department, Ime Eprikpo, spoke at a two-day stakeholders’ engagement on the validation of the draft regulations, held in Lagos. He said the proposed Scrap Metal (Collection, Trading, Recycling and Regulation) Regulations would establish a transparent and sustainable value chain capable of supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation drive. The minister identified scrap metal as a critical raw material for steel production, foundry operations and other manufacturing activities, noting that effective recycling would reduce waste, create jobs and stimulate economic growth. He, however, warned that poor regulation had encouraged the theft of electrical cables, railway components, manhole covers and other metallic infrastructure, resulting in disruption of public services, safety risks and huge economic losses. According to him, the proposed regulations would introduce licensing and supervision of operators, regulate collection and aggregation centres, ensure transaction traceability and enforce environmental and occupational safety standards. “Our objective is not to suppress legitimate commercial activity. Rather, it is to establish a system in which lawful businesses can operate with greater clarity and confidence, while activities involving stolen materials, unsafe practices or environmental harm are addressed through appropriate regulatory and legal measures,” he said. Audu stressed that small-scale operators would not be excluded from the regulatory framework, explaining that requirements would be tailored to the size and risks of their businesses. He called for stronger supplier identification, verification of material sources, reliable transaction records and collaboration with security agencies to check the illegal acquisition and trading of stolen metals. The minister urged stakeholders to make practical contributions towards ensuring that the proposed regulations were workable and addressed the challenges confronting operators. Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, represented by the Director, Metallurgical Inspectorate and Environmental Protection Department, Christopher T. Wanje, said effective regulation of the scrap metal industry was critical to building a competitive and self-sustaining steel sector. He said the regulations would curb illegal metal trading, protect public infrastructure and guarantee reliable raw materials for domestic steel production. In his goodwill message, the National President of the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria, Comrade Pastor Engr. Ogbu Luke Uchechukwu, described the engagement as a landmark development that would lay the foundation for an organised and economically viable industry. Similarly, the Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr Innocent Bariate Bariko, represented by the Deputy Director, Base Metal Sector, Engr. Walter Okoye, warned that inadequate regulation could expose the environment and public health to serious risks. He commended the ministry for initiating the proposed regulatory framework. Also, the Business Manager of Kam Steel Integrated Company Ltd, Busari Olanrewaju, described scrap metal as the backbone of Nigeria’s steel industry. He pledged the company’s support through the training of scrap collectors, standardised grading procedures, modern sorting and shredding technologies, and increased use of locally generated scrap materials in domestic steel production.   Tags:

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