NewsNigeriaPoliticsWaste, Scrap Vendors In Ogun Protest Over Levies

Waste and scrap vendors attached to various companies across Ogun State have decried the alleged extortion and imposition of unbearable, arbitrary levies by the Ogun Waste Management Agency (OGWAMA).

The development has compelled the vendors to embark on a protest, demanding the immediate removal of the General Manager of OGWAMA, Mr. Hunye Abayomi, who they allege has imposed unbearable financial demands.

The vendors who are members of the Association of Waste Management Vendors and Recyclers of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter expressed their grievances on Monday, in a protest held at the governor’s office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital carrying placards with different inscriptions such as “OGWAMA has killed our business”, “Hunye must go”, “Semako must go!!! He is heartless”, “No OGWAMA hardship”, Gov Dapo Abiodun, please rescue our business”, “He’s a sadist”among others.

Mrs Opeoluwa Balogun, President of the association, who spoke on behalf of the members, stated that the association had been operating under a long-standing regulatory structure that required suppliers to pay a fee of N50,000 to the government for an annual license, but when the General Manager, Hunye Abayomi came on board it was increased to N200,000.

“We already had a standard format on the ground. At the end of every year, we obtain a licence and pay it to the government.

“The amount was N50,000, but when he came on board, it was increased to N200,000. Since then, it has been levy upon levy, and it has become unbearable for us,” she said.

Mrs Balogun alleged that despite paying several levies, the OGWAMA boss insisted that scrap vending was only for politicians and no longer for operators.

The vendors disclosed that in violation of standard procedure, they were being forced to pay licensing fees months in advance of the regular registration period without receiving tax receipts.

Addressing the protesters, the Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Toyin Taiwo, called for calm and advised the aggrieved vendors to channel their complaints through the appropriate government channels.

Taiwo urged the demonstrators to refrain from taking any measures that would disturb public order while assuring them that the state government will investigate their complaints.