Scrap dealers have challenged Borno Governor Babagana Zulum to produce evidence linking their trade to the alleged theft of cables bought for an electricity distribution line costing more than N3 billion.
The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria wants the state government to identify the project’s contractor, say when the work was done, confirm whether cables were supplied and installed, and disclose when the alleged theft occurred.
Its deputy national president, Aminu Soja, said an entire industry should not be blamed without credible evidence. He also questioned how the government reached its conclusion when scrap trading in Borno had been banned for more than three years.
Punch reported that his statement was issued in Kano on Monday. Daily Trust, which named him as Aminu Hassan Soja, dated the statement to Sunday.
Zulum had said scavengers took the wires for the line connecting Damaturu in Yobe State to Maiduguri. Punch reported that he cited the loss of public infrastructure and security intelligence about the sale of looted metals as reasons for restricting the trade.
The association rejected links to Boko Haram or terrorism and said it represented lawful scrap and waste businesses. It urged the government to identify and prosecute anyone responsible rather than make blanket allegations against its members.
Punch also reported that Zulum had invited operators to propose ways to conduct their business without damaging infrastructure or contributing to insecurity. He granted a waiver for the removal of stocks accumulated before the ban from designated locations.
Sources: Punch, Daily Trust
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