The Oyo State Chairman of the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN), Comrade Rotimi Olasemojo has revealed that the association is working round the clock to weed out impersonators who are projecting it in bad light.
While vouching for his members, the Chairman said, “some of these people are impersonators, they sometimes collude with thieves in their environment to burgle, steal irons and people have erroneously tagged them to be our members. If some of the arrested people are given the opportunity to talk during interrogation, they will understand that they are not our members.
“We have made it mandatory for our members to have an identity card and a distinct uniform and anybody who claims to be a member but does not have any of these is not a registered member of the association”, Olasemojo asserted.
The NASWDEN Chairman, who was a guest on ‘Parrot Xtra/Ayekooto on Radio’ anchored by Olayinka Agboola and broadcast live on Splash 105.5FM, Felele Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State recently, revealed that the duties of the body include turning waste to wealth. He also stated that the organization was formally registered during the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
“We are not dunghill pickers popularly known as ‘bola’ in the Hausa language. It is a derogatory thing associating us with those who only pick dirt on the dumpsite. Our job is a noble one; we turn waste products to wealth.
“We also ensure that every waste product such as plastic bottles, nylons are taken off the street and turned to wealth. Our business is controlled by the dollar exchange rate”, the Chairman said.
He went on to caution members of the public to avoid engaging in jungle justice when members of the association are caught in any inimical activities. He urged that such individuals should be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force. Comrade Adesemojo relatedly warned members of the association to desist from illegal and sharp practices capable of undermining the integrity of the association while stating that the body will not be afraid to wield the big stick on any defaulters.
“A good scrap dealer will not engage in stealing and will not condone injustice. He will ensure that every product he is buying is not a stolen material. He must ensure that there are witnesses during the transaction. We ensure that every of our activities is backed by the law of the land”, he disclosed.
He thereafter appealed to the Engr. Seyi Makinde-led administration to remember the Waste Dealers Association, as he stated that the body is working to support the good work of the Government and to contribute to the economic resources of the country.
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