Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) has commenced the rebranding of waste picking practice in Nigeria with a view to making it more functional, its acting president, Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima has said.
Disclosing this at the inaugural annual meeting of the association held in Abuja,Comrade Yarima, said the aim was to reposition the association and make it more functional.
According to Comrade Yarima, the association would collaborate with trade unions, ministries and agencies of government such as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Ministry of Labour, Federal Ministry of Environment and others.
In an interview with NATIONAL ECONOMY, Yarima lauded the association’s affiliation with an international body, International Alliance For Waste Pickers, explaining that the association is still working on more international collaborations.
He also revealed that WAPAN needs the collaboration of Federal Ministry Of Trade & Investment.
He however expressed his displeasure in the way waste pickers, who are formally called scavengers, are being treated. He noted that so many times, the government and people see waste pickers as nuisances and criminals and are thereby arrested, maltreated and paraded.
He further stated that WAPAN is bringing a new system whereby waste pickers can work without any criminal accusations and activities while performing their duties. He said, ‘‘The issue of threat by the general public and government to frustrate the activities of waste picking in Nigeria will become a thing of the past. Our dream is to ensure the recognition of waste pickers, reduction of poverty, youth restiveness, wealth creation, food security and employment opportunities in Nigeria through WAPAN.’’
