Ebonyi Assembly passes new law on scrap dealers and house rents: Key points to know

News, Politics

ABAKALIKI, Nigeria (NPA) — The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a Bill to regulate the sale of metal and electrical scraps, house rents and the collection of agency fees by professional and non-professional agents in the state.

The legislation, which also covers other related matters, was passed during a special plenary on Tuesday at the Legislative Complex, Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki, presided over by the Speaker, Chief Moses Ije Odunwa.

Leading the debate, the Leader of the House, Chief Kingsley Ikoro, described the legislation as timely, citing the increasing activities of scrap dealers and the challenges residents face in securing accommodation due to excessive charges by house agents.

Ikoro expressed concern over the persistent vandalisation of electricity transformers, particularly in rural communities, attributing a significant part of the problem to the activities of scrap dealers.

He said effective oversight and enforcement would be critical to achieving the objectives of the legislation.

On house rents and agency fees, Ikoro decried the high cost of accommodation in the state, noting that excessive charges by middlemen and house agents had compounded the difficulties faced by residents.

He stressed that the passage of the law alone would not be sufficient, urging relevant committees and enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance with its provisions.

Also contributing to the debate, the member representing Ezza South State Constituency, Hon. Friday Ogbuewu, described the activities of scrap dealers as a dent on the image of Ebonyi State.

Ogbuewu noted that several transformers in rural communities had been vandalised, undermining government efforts to provide electricity infrastructure.

He warned that leaving the activities of scrap dealers unregulated could cause further damage to the state and expressed confidence that the new law would provide a framework for regulating scrap dealers and house agents.

Similarly, the member representing Onicha East State Constituency, Hon. Celestine Ifeanyi Ogba, described scrap dealers involved in the destruction of public infrastructure as both material and economic vandals.

Ogba expressed concern over the vulnerability of project sites without adequate security and warned that continued vandalism could extend to other government facilities.

He called for the active involvement of security agencies in enforcing the law.

On house rents and agency fees, Ogba supported the speedy passage of the Bill and suggested the establishment of an official online platform through which members of the public could access information on available accommodation.

Other lawmakers, including Hon. Nwoke Victor of Abakaliki North, Hon. Aloysius Nwodo of Ebonyi North-West and Hon. Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali of Afikpo East, also supported the legislation and urged the House to expedite its passage.

The House subsequently dissolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the Bill clause by clause. The motion was moved by Ikoro and seconded by the member representing Ezza North-West State Constituency, Hon. Chikaodiri Nomeh.

Presenting some of the key provisions, Speaker Odunwa said no person would be permitted to buy, sell, possess for sale, transport or dispose of metal or electrical scraps except as a licensed dealer with a written permit from the relevant agency or in accordance with regulations made under the law.

He said anyone who contravened the provision would commit an offence and, upon conviction, be liable to imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to N500,000.

On house rents and agency fees, Odunwa said excessive charges were prohibited under the law.

He explained that every house agent operating in the state must be registered with the state government, possess clear identification and maintain a functional office within the state.

The Speaker further stated that professional and non-professional agents involved in land transactions, whether movable or immovable, would not be permitted to charge or collect more than two per cent of the gross value of the transaction.

He added that anyone who charged more than two per cent of the gross value of a land sale or accommodation transaction covered by the law would commit an offence and, upon conviction, face two years’ imprisonment and/or a fine equivalent to twice the amount collected.

Following the Committee of the Whole, the House reconvened in plenary for the Speaker to report progress on the consideration of the Bill.

Odunwa announced that the legislation would be cited as Law No. 003 of 2026 and would come into effect on August 11, 2026.

He directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Edene Uche Blessing, to formally notify the State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, of the passage of the law.

Meanwhile, the House screened and confirmed the Coordinator and members of the Management Committee of the Amasiri Development Centre in Afikpo Local Government Area.

Those confirmed include Mr Anya Baron Ogbonna as Coordinator, with Mr Nwachi Vincent, Mrs Ihunannya Habiba Dauda, Mr Eze Chinwoudo Onyechukwu, Mr Mna Uro, Mr Okochi Chukwu Enya, Mr Eberechukwu Otu, Mr Enya Chukwu Enya and Mr Eze Ogbonna as members.

The House also considered and adopted the report of the Auditor-General on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Government of Ebonyi State for the financial year ended December 31, 2025.

The plenary was subsequently adjourned to another legislative day following a motion moved by Ikoro and seconded by the Deputy Leader of the House, Chief Joseph Ununu.