The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a law regulating the activities of scrap dealers, house agents and the collection of agency fees across the state.
The legislation, cited as Law No. 003 of 2026, also seeks to curb the vandalisation of public infrastructure and excessive charges imposed on residents seeking accommodation.
The Bill was passed during 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, the Leader of the House, Chief Kingsley Ikoro, described the legislation as timely, citing the increasing activities of scrap dealers and the difficulties 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 stressed that effective oversight and enforcement would be crucial to achieving the objectives of the new law.
On house rents and agency fees, the Leader of the House decried the high cost of accommodation in the state, saying excessive charges by middlemen and house agents had further compounded the hardship faced by residents.
He urged the relevant committees and enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the law.
Contributing to the debate, the member representing Ezza South State Constituency, Hon. Friday Ogbuewu, described the activities of scrap dealers involved in the destruction of public infrastructure as a dent on the image of the state.
He noted that several transformers in rural communities had been vandalised, undermining government efforts to provide electricity infrastructure.
Similarly, the member representing Onicha East State Constituency, Hon. Celestine Ifeanyi Ogba, described those who destroy public infrastructure for scrap as both material and economic vandals.
Ogba called for the active involvement of security agencies in enforcing the law and supported the regulation of house rents and agency fees. He also proposed the establishment of an official online platform where residents 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 for clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill. The motion was moved by Chief Kingsley Ikoro and seconded by Hon. Chikaodiri Nomeh, representing Ezza North-West State Constituency.
Presenting the key provisions of the legislation, Speaker Odunwa said no person would be permitted to buy, sell, possess for sale, transport or dispose of metal or electrical scraps without being a licensed dealer with a written permit from the relevant government agency or operating in accordance with regulations made under the law.
He said anyone found guilty of violating the provision would be liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine of up to ₦500,000.
On house rents and agency fees, the Speaker said excessive charges had been prohibited under the new law.
He explained that every house agent operating in Ebonyi State must be registered with the state government, possess a clear means of identification and maintain a functional office within the state.
According to him, both professional and non-professional agents involved in land transactions, whether movable or immovable, must not charge or collect more than two per cent of the gross value of the transaction.
He added that any person who charges above the stipulated two per cent on the sale of land or any accommodation covered by the law would be committing an offence and, upon conviction, could face up to two years’ imprisonment and/or a fine equivalent to twice the amount collected.
Following the Committee of the Whole, the House reconvened in plenary, where the Speaker reported progress on the consideration of the Bill.
Odunwa announced that the legislation would be known as Law No. 003 of 2026 and would take effect from August 11, 2026.
He subsequently 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, alongside 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 of the Management Committee.
The Assembly also considered and accepted 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 thereafter adjourned to another legislative day following a motion moved by Chief Kingsley Ikoro and seconded by the Deputy Leader of the House, Chief Joseph Ununu.
