Members of the Association of Waste Management Vendors and Recyclers of Nigeria in Ogun State have protested against what they described as persistent extortion, arbitrary levies and attempts to sideline long standing operators in the state’s scrap and recycling sector.
The protesters during their peaceful demonstration on Monday at Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta, demanded the immediate removal of General Manager of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) Mr. Hunnye Abayomi, whom they accused of imposing unbearable financial demands and bringing in favoured outsiders to take over their jobs.
The aggrieved members of the association are mostly from waste and scrap vendors attached to several companies across the State
President of the association, Mrs Opeoluwa Balogun explained that the group had operated under a long standing regulatory framework which according to her, requires vendors to obtain an annual licence from the government at a modest fee.
“We already had a standard format on ground. At the end of every year, we obtain a licence and pay to the government. The amount was ₦50,000, but when he came on board it was increased to ₦200,000. Since then, it has been levy upon levy, and it has become unbearable for us" she stated
Opeoluwa alleged that the OGWAMA boss insisted that scrap vending was no longer meant for operators who had spent “30, 40, even 50 years in the system,” claiming the jobs were reserved for politicians.
"He has been bringing his own people, particularly from his hometown, to frustrate our efforts and make life unbearable for us,” She further alleged
The vendors also complained that they were being compelled to pay licence fees months ahead of the normal registration period, without the issuance of tax receipts, contrary to established practice.
“He wanted us to pay in December, but normally when we register, we must present a tax receipt, which is not issued until the following year. He is forcing people to pay because he wants quick money,” a member said.
According to the association leadership , many vendors who paid the levies ended up without access to scrap materials, forcing them to borrow money for them to survive.
“Since the inception of OGWAMA and OGEPA, government never forced anyone to pay. If you are interested in buying scrap, you go and pay. But now, payment is being forced on us,”
The protesters chanting solidarity songs, insisted on the removal of Mr. Hunye Abayomi, saying his continueous stay in office will further cripple their source of livelihoods.
However, the Ogun State Government through the Chief of Staff to Governor Dapo Abiodun , Dr. Oluwatoyin Toyin, appealed for calm and advised the aggrieved vendors to channel their complaints through the appropriate government channels.
Taiwo assured the protesters that the state government would look into their grievances, urging them to avoid actions that could disrupt public order.
The security operatives at the scene of the protest, make sure the demonstration was peaceful throughout the period, as the protesters continued their discussion behind closed doors
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