The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed legislation regulating the sale and handling of metal and electrical scraps, residential house rents and property agency fees across the state.

The bill, titled the Ebonyi State Sale of Scraps, House Rent, and Agent Fees Regulation Law 2026, was passed during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Moses Odunwa, at the Assembly Complex on Nkaliki Road.

The legislation, which took effect upon passage on August 11, 2026, is aimed at curbing vandalism of public infrastructure, addressing environmental concerns and protecting residents from exploitative practices in the real estate sector.

Under the new law, the unlicensed buying, selling, possession, transportation or disposal of metal and electrical scraps is prohibited. Offenders face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than ₦500,000, or both.

The law also provides for standard rent tariffs to be prescribed by Governor Francis Nwifuru for different categories of residential accommodation. Landlords are prohibited from charging rents above the approved limits.

It further stipulates that landlords who obtain possession orders through fraud, misrepresentation or concealment of facts may face up to two years’ imprisonment.

In another key provision, the law caps real estate agency fees at 2% of the gross transaction value, applicable to both professional and non-professional agents.

It also mandates all estate agents operating within the state capital to register with the Ministry of the Capital City as part of measures to promote transparency and accountability in the sector.

Presenting the bill, the Leader of the House, Kingsley Ikoro, urged lawmakers to support its passage, stressing that it would help protect public infrastructure and safeguard vulnerable tenants.

Lawmakers including Victor Nwoke (Abakaliki North), Nwodo Nwodo (Ebonyi North West), Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali (Afikpo East), Friday Ogbuewu (Ezza South) and Celestine Ogba (Onicha East) also backed the legislation.

They described the measure as a timely response to increasing cases of scrap theft, vandalism and arbitrary rent increases by landlords.

Speaking after the bill passed its third reading following clause-by-clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole, Speaker Odunwa said the law would restore order in the property market and strengthen public safety.

“Scrap dealers have shown a brazen lack of restraint, causing widespread havoc to critical public infrastructure and private property. This law restores sanity to our property market and prioritises overall public safety,” he said.

In a separate legislative matter, the Assembly considered and adopted the Auditor-General’s Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Ebonyi State Government for the financial year ended December 31, 2025.

The House also screened and confirmed nine nominees submitted by Governor Nwifuru to serve as Coordinator and Management Committee members of the Amasiri Development Centre in Afikpo Local Government Area.

The appointments followed the state government’s formal reinstatement of the development centre.