Dealers to state: Reconsider plan to disband the Scrap Metal Council

Scrap metal dealers in the country have called on the government to reconsider the plan to disband the Scrap Metal Council.

The Kenya Scrap Metal Dealers Association chairman Evans Nganga said a written memorandum will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration in the next three days.

They have argued that they have a lot of members hence doing away with the council and reverting its powers to the Ministry of Trade will affect the regulation and the overall functioning of the sector.

"We have seen a council that is working well in harmony with the scrap metal association," said Evans Nga'nga. 

"We hope that the Cabinet Secretary will open the door for us to present the memorandum to him," Nganga said.

Nganga was speaking after a meeting held in Nairobi on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Nganga.

Also present during the meeting were the association Secretary General Joseph Mwangi and Knight Scrap Metal Dealers Association (KSMDA) Gladys Nyambura.

Nganga said the council has been able to put forward regulations that deal with issues faced by the sector such as vandalism. 

According to Nganga, the scrap metal council had contained the level of vandalism to at least 70 per cent in the last two years.

He said the revenue collected through the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) had also gone up hence the need for the council to continue being in place.

In addition, the dealers said the scrap metal sector has been able to create job opportunities for the public.

Nganga said the council has been very key to reduce vandalism and ensuring that the business is carried out ethically, adding that disbanding the council could lead to serious operational challenges in the industry. 

Evans Nganga the chairperson reiterates to the president and the government the appeal to retain the already functional Scrap Metal Council.