The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a new law regulating the activities of scrap dealers, house rents and agency fees in the state.
The legislation, cited as Law No. 003 of 2026, was passed during a special plenary held on Tuesday, August 11, at the Legislative Complex along Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki.
The sitting was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Chief Moses Ije Odunwa.
The new law seeks to regulate the buying, selling, possession, transportation and disposal of metal and electrical scraps, as well as the activities of house agents and charges associated with land transactions and accommodation.
Scrap dealers face licensing requirements
Presenting the Bill for debate, the Leader of the House, Chief Kingsley Ikoro, said the legislation was necessary due to the increasing activities of scrap dealers and the vandalisation of public infrastructure across the state.
He particularly raised concerns over the persistent destruction of electricity transformers, especially in rural communities, allegedly linked to the activities of scrap dealers.
The Member representing Ezza South State Constituency, Hon. Friday Ogbuewu, also condemned the vandalisation of transformers, describing the activities as damaging to the state’s development and image.
Similarly, the Member representing Onicha East State Constituency, Hon. Celestine Ifeanyi Ogba, described those who destroy public infrastructure for scrap as “economic vandals” and called for the involvement of security agencies in enforcing the new law.
Under the law, no person is 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 acting in accordance with regulations made under the law.
A person found guilty of violating the provision could face up to two years imprisonment or a fine of up to ₦500,000.
House agents restricted to 2% fee
The law also introduces restrictions on the fees that house agents and other agents can charge.
Speaker Odunwa said excessive charges for house rents and agency services would no longer be permitted under the new legislation.
According to him, every house agent operating in Ebonyi State must be registered with the state government, have a clear identity and maintain a functional office within the state.
More significantly, professional and non-professional agents involved in land transactions, whether movable or immovable, are prohibited from charging or collecting more than two per cent of the gross value of the transaction.
Any person who charges above the stipulated two per cent in connection with the sale of land or accommodation commits an offence.
Upon conviction, such a person could face up to two years imprisonment and/or a fine equivalent to twice the amount collected.
The Speaker said the law is intended to address the rising cost of accommodation and excessive charges by middlemen and house agents.
The Member representing Abakaliki North State Constituency, Hon. Nwoke Victor; Ebonyi North-West State Constituency, Hon. Aloysius Nwodo; and Afikpo East State Constituency, Hon. Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali, also supported the legislation and urged the House to expedite its passage.
Hon. Ogba additionally proposed the establishment of an official online platform through which residents could access information about available accommodation.
Law takes effect immediately
Following debate on the Bill, the House dissolved into a Committee of the Whole for clause-by-clause consideration.
After the consideration, the House reconvened in plenary, where Speaker Odunwa reported the progress made on the Bill.
He announced that the legislation would be known as Law No. 003 of 2026 and would come into effect on August 11, 2026.
The Speaker subsequently directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Edene Uche Blessing, to formally notify the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, of the passage of the law.
Assembly confirms Amasiri Development Centre committee
During the same sitting, 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.
The Assembly also considered and accepted the report of the Auditor-General on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Ebonyi State Government for the financial year ended December 31, 2025.
The plenary was subsequently adjourned to another legislative day.
What the new law means for residents: Scrap dealers will require proper licensing to operate, while house and land agents will be restricted to a maximum 2% agency fee on covered transactions, with penalties for violations.
Ebonyi Assembly Passes Law Regulating Scrap Dealers, House Rents and Agency FeesScrap Dealers, House Rents and Agency Fees
