Yobe State House of Assembly has called on the Executive Arm of government to establish a committee to investigate the business of metal scavengers known as Jari bola.
The House made the call in a motion of urgent public importance presented by the member representing Bursari Constituency Hon. Zanna Baba Gana.
The lawmakers said the business of metal scavengers had increased the rate of crimes in the state such as stealing and vandalism of public and private property, especially the electricity and water installations, among others
Gana, who spoke at length on the dangers posed by the scavengers, said some states have banned the business, stressing the need for the government to regulate the business as a way of curbing crimes in the state.
Supporting the motion, members representing Bade West, Damagum, Mamudo and Damaturu ll Constituencies Hon. Sanda Kara Bade, Hon. Maina Digma Gana, Hon. Buba Ibrahim Kalallawa and Hon. Mohammed Isa Bello described the motion as timely considering the increase in crime rate as a result of metal scavenging.
Presiding over the sitting, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio directed the House Committee on legislative compliance and that of commerce to ensure the setting up of a committee for the investigation of business of scavengers and report back to the House for further legislative action.
The State’s Chief Lawmaker called on the people to always assist security agencies in protecting the government’s critical assets, such as boreholes and electricity transformers, among others.
