EBHA passes law regulating scrap dealers, house rents, agent fees

The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a Bill for a Law to regulate the sale of metal and electrical scraps, house rents and collection of agent fees by professionals and non-professionals in Ebonyi State, and other matters connected thereto.

The passage followed a Special Plenary held on Tuesday at the Legislative Complex, Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki, and presided over by the Speaker of the House, Chief Moses Ije Odunwa.

Leading the debate on the Bill, the Leader of the House, Chief Kingsley Ikoro, said the legislation was timely, given the increasing activities of scrap dealers and the challenges being experienced by residents in securing accommodation due to excessive charges by house agents.

Chief Ikoro expressed concern over the persistent vandalisation of transformers, particularly in rural communities, attributing a significant part of the development to the activities of scrap dealers. He described the proposed law as necessary and appropriate, stressing that effective oversight and enforcement would be critical to achieving its objectives.

On house rents and agency fees, the Leader of the House 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 emphasized that the passage of the law alone would not be sufficient, urging the relevant Committees and enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance with its provisions.

Also contributing, 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. He noted that several transformers in rural communities had been vandalised, thereby undermining the efforts of government to provide electricity infrastructure for the people.

Hon. Ogbuewu 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 the necessary framework for regulating both 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 not only material vandals but also economic vandals. He expressed concern over the vulnerability of project sites without adequate security and warned that continued vandalism could eventually extend to other government facilities.

Hon. Ogba called for the active involvement of security agencies in the enforcement of the law. On house rents and agency fees, he supported the speedy passage of the Bill and suggested the establishment of an official online platform where members of the public could access information on available accommodation.

In their separate contributions, the Member representing Abakaliki North State Constituency, Hon. Nwoke Victor; the Member representing Ebonyi North-West State Constituency, Hon. Aloysius Nwodo; and the Member representing Afikpo East State Constituency, Hon. Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali, underscored the importance of the proposed legislation and urged the House to expedite its passage.

The House thereafter dissolved into a Committee of the Whole to enable members to undertake clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill. The motion was moved by the Leader of the House, Chief Kingsley Ikoro, and seconded by the Member representing Ezza North-West State Constituency, Hon. Chikaodiri Nomeh.

Addressing the House during consideration of the Bill, the Speaker, Chief Moses Ije Odunwa, highlighted some of its key provisions.

He explained that no person shall 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.

According to the Speaker, any person who contravenes the provision commits an offence and, upon conviction, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Thousand Naira.

On house rents and agency fees, Speaker Odunwa emphasized that excessive charges are prohibited in Ebonyi State. He stated that every house agent operating in the State must be registered with the State Government, possess a clear identity and maintain a functional office within the State.

He further explained that both professional and non-professional agents involved in land transactions, whether movable or immovable, shall not charge or collect more than two per cent of the gross sum of the transaction.

The Speaker added that any person who, in respect of the sale of land or any type of accommodation covered by the law, charges more than two per cent of the gross value of the transaction commits an offence and shall, upon conviction, be liable to two years’ imprisonment and/or an option of a fine equivalent to twice the amount collected.

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

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

He thereafter 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 are:

1. Mr. Anya Baron Ogbonna – Coordinator
2. Mr. Nwachi Vincent – Management Committee Member
3. Mrs. Ihunannya Habiba Dauda – Management Committee Member
4. Mr. Eze Chinwoudo Onyechukwu – Management Committee Member
5. Mr. Mna Uro – Management Committee Member
6. Mr. Okochi Chukwu Enya – Management Committee Member
7. Mr. Eberechukwu Otu – Management Committee Member
8. Mr. Enya Chukwu Enya – Management Committee Member
9. Mr. Eze Ogbonna – Management Committee Member.

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

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

Theophilus Ifeanyi Igwe,
Chief Press Secretary to the Rt. Hon. Speaker.
August 11, 2026.

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