AVM Ibrahim Umar and the Regional President of NASWDEN

By Maduabuchi Nmerbeh/Kano

Kano state government has placed a ban on the transportation and movement of scraps and waste materials from North-Eastern states,  particularly, Yobe and Borno, to Kano.

The ban followed a recent explosion that occurred in a company at the Mariri axis of the state, which claimed five lives and left 15 wounded.

The State Commissioner of Internal Security and Special Services, AVM Ibrahim Umar (rtd),  directed a temporary stoppage of importation of scraps and waste materials from north eastern states, especially those affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

A Statement by the Director of Public Relations and Enlightenment in the Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services, Muhd Dahir Idris, indicated that the Commissioner gave the directive during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Scraps and Waste Dealers employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN).

The Commissioner said the directive was sequel to the recent explosion at the warehouse of such scrap material along Western bypass  Road and Kofar Ruwa, which resulted in the loss of lives and properties.

He urged members of the Association to evolve measures aimed at preventing such occurrences and ensure that there are no explosives in such scrap materials before being imported into the state.

“As Kano state will continue to protect your interest and your business, you should come up with a written policy and plans that will boost your business”, the Commissioner added.

In his remarks,  the Regional President of the Association, Comrade Aminu Hassan (Sarkin Karafan Kasar Hausa), told the Commissioner that they have already stopped buying scrap and waste materials from such states bedevilled by Boko Haram and insurgency in the northeast.

He assured the Commissioner that they will continue to remain law-abiding and supportive of the state government, adding that there is a need for the government to come up with policies and strategies that can boost the waste management business.

Comrade Aminu Hassan recalled that their Association was established under Trade Union law (2004), and is being regulated by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

He maintained that most of the companies in the country depend solely on their scrap materials for production as they could not afford buying  new materials for production, adding that, “if our business stops, a lot of companies will certainly collapse.”

He further added that the activities of their Association create more jobs among the teeming unemployed youths, as they have over one hundred thousand registered members across the 44 Local Government Areas.

Comrade Aminu Hassan outlined some challenges affecting their business, which include inflows of underage children as scavengers, and dissociating themselves from the involvement of children in the business, while blaming their parents or guardians for poor moral upbringing.

He revealed that some unscrupulous members sometimes vandalise property and buy stolen items, adding that the Association helps the security agencies in arresting and prosecuting anybody found wanting.

Also commenting, the member Board Trustee of the Association, Alhaji Akilu Hassan (Sardaunan  Funtua), and chairman of NAK,  stressed the need for collaboration with the Kano state government towards ensuring stable economic growth and development.

He promised the Commissioner that they would not relent in their efforts to prevent future occurrences of accidental explosions.