Government Gives 8 Weeks Grace For Scrap Metal Evacuation, Stresses Its Embargo

By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent

To address growing security concerns, the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, has announced a two-month window for the evacuation of scrap metal heaps from various dump sites across the state.

This was contained in a public service announcement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill, stating that the evacuation will commence immediately and expire at midnight on February 15, 2025.

The daily evacuation time frame is set between 6:AM and 6:PM, and the Office of the State Security Adviser will closely monitor the process to prevent abuse and circumvention of the ban on scrap metal dealers and scavengers’ activities.

According to the announcement, the move aims to tackle the notorious activities of scavengers, which have raised significant security concerns in the state.

The statement reads “The Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has graciously approved a two-month window for the evacuation of reported heaps of scrap metal at various dump sites identified by the office of the State Security Adviser.

“The Governor is still conscious of the ban placed on scrap metal dealers and the obnoxious activities of scavengers; therefore, the two-month window given for the evacuation of scrap metal heaps at various dumpsites will be closely monitored by the office of the State Security Adviser to forestall any abuse and prevent notorious scavengers from circumventing the ban.

“For clarity, the window granted for the guided evacuation of scrap metal heaps is expected to commence from the date of this announcement and expire at midnight on 15th February 2025. The daily timeframe for evacuation is 6am to 6pm.

“The activities of scavengers in Cross River State have continually raised security concerns, which this administration will not condone”.