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On Monday, waste and scrap vendors associated with various companies throughout Ogun State expressed their concerns regarding alleged extortion and the imposition of unreasonable arbitrary levies by the State’s Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA).

The vendors also called for the immediate dismissal of the General Manager of OGWAMA, Mr. Hunye Abayomi, accusing him of imposing excessive financial demands and bringing in favored outsiders to take over their jobs.

They voiced their grievances during a protest held at the governor’s office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.

According to DAILY POST, the vendors, who are members of the Association of Waste Management Vendors and Recyclers of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, carried placards with various messages such as “OGWAMA has destroyed our business,” “Hunye must go,” “Semako must go!!! He is heartless,” “No OGWAMA hardship,” “Gov Dapo Abiodun, please save our business,” and “He’s a sadist,” among others.

The vendors reported ongoing extortion, arbitrary levies, and efforts to marginalize long-standing operators in the state’s scrap and recycling industry.

Speaking on behalf of the members, the president of the association, Mrs. Opeoluwa Balogun, explained that the association had been functioning under a long-established regulatory framework that required suppliers to pay a fee of N50,000 to the government for an annual license. However, since Mr. Hunye Abayomi took office, this fee has increased to N200,000.

Mrs. Balogun claimed that despite having paid numerous levies, the OGWAMA director insisted that scrap vending was now exclusively for politicians, excluding regular operators.

She stated: “We already had an established process in place. At the end of each year, we secure a license and pay the government.

“The fee was N50,000, but when he assumed office, it was raised to N200,000. Since then, it has been one levy after another, and it has become unbearable for us.”

The vendors revealed that they were being compelled to pay licensing fees months ahead of the usual registration period, without receiving tax receipts, which is against standard procedure.

“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 pressuring people to pay because he wants quick cash,” said a member.

“Since the establishment of OGWAMA and OGEPA, the government has never forced anyone to pay. If you wanted to buy scrap, you would pay voluntarily. But now, payments are being imposed on us,” they added.

In response to the protesters, the Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Toyin Taiwo, urged them to remain calm and advised the dissatisfied vendors to submit their complaints through the proper government channels.

Taiwo encouraged the demonstrators to avoid actions that could disrupt public order while assuring them that the state government would look into their grievances.

Ogun protest image

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main grievances of the waste vendors?

The waste vendors are primarily concerned about alleged extortion, arbitrary levies imposed by the State’s Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), and the demand for excessive licensing fees.

What actions did the vendors take to express their concerns?

The vendors organized a protest at the governor’s office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, where they expressed their grievances and called for the removal of the General Manager of OGWAMA.

How did the government respond to the protest?

The Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Toyin Taiwo, addressed the protesters, urging them to remain calm and to submit their complaints through the appropriate government channels, assuring them that their concerns would be investigated.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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