By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Following series of outcries and appeals from concerned citizens and legitimate scrape metal dealers popularly known as Ajakuta, the Executive Governor of Borno State has approved the appointment Nasiru Ali Surundi as Chairman, Committee to Review the Ban on Metal Scavenging in Borno State, with effect from 30th September, 2024.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on SSG’ s Office, Governor’s Office , Zanna Bukar is to serve as Secretary of the committee and representative of the SSG.
While inaugurating the committee on Monday at the conference hall of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the Borno State SSG, Hon. Bukar Tijani on behalf of the State Governor, said the terms of reference of the committee are as follows:
a. To review the activities of the Metal Scavengers between the time of the ban to date with a view to knowing their compliance or otherwise and its economic impact on their members;
b. To look into the impact, desirability or otherwise of lifting the ban
c. To examine and recommend ways and means of scrap metal trade in an honest business like manner in the State;
d. Any other matter deemed germane for the success of the Committee’s assignment;
e. The Committee is given four (4) weeks from the date of its inaugural meeting within which to complete its assignments and summit recommendations to His Excellency, the Executive Governor through the Secretary to the State Government.
Hon. Tijani added that by a copy of this letter, all other members of the Committee are informed of their appointment accordingly.
He urged them to commit themselves to the assignment and repose the confidence government and people of Borno have on them having been selected carefully based on their experiences and integrity .
He further charged the committee to do a thorough and transparent job in the overall interest of the state’s economy and development.
It would be recalled that the state government has imposed ban on Metal Scavenging (Ajakuta) since on 10th July, 2023 vide an Executive Order No. 1 2023.
