The Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) and the Association of Carton and Wastes Recycling Dealers of Nigeria (ACWREDON) wishes to congratulate His Excellency, the president and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his landslide victory as the president of Nigeria and a hitch free swearing in ceremony.

Your Excellency, our vision is to advocate policies and programs that supports sustainable waste Management and empower waste pickers by promoting their rights, improving their working conditions with a view to assisting in the reduction of environmental pollution and climate change menace.

Mr. President you came on board at a crucial period of environmental hazard and the menace of climate change which is a global phenomenon. At this moment Nigeria alone in African continent generate over 32million tons of wastes annually and only 30% (approximately) 9million is collected and recycled. This alarming figure poses a severe threat to our environment and contribute significantly to climate change and environmental pollution.

As waste pickers and waste collectors we are in the front line in tackling this problem and we have been advocating for the establishment of recycling industries across the country.

The immediate past government did very little in providing a sustainable machinery for the control of climate change and environmental pollution, we hope with Mr. President’s abundant experience and initiatives which was buttressed through the transformation of LAWMA and the provision of waste dumping sites in Lagos which result to positive step in reducing pollution and climate change in Nigeria encapsulated in poverty reduction, economic empowerment and increased wealth of our youth who are waste pickers.

Under your watch, Mr. President Sir, we hope a new policy and program will be on board for the establishment of waste recycling industries at least in the 6 geographical zones of the country, the essence of this provision is to safe guard the interest of indigenous waste pickers and collectors to enable Nigerians participate and remain in the business of waste collection and disposal as a means of curtailing unemployment, poverty reduction as well as preventing foreigners from engaging in informal activities and trading.

Additionally, Mr. President Sir, the waste picking and waste collection business will appreciate your intervention for a support from both national and international financial institutions such as the CBN, BOI, DBN with a view to improving recycling business in terms of establishing indigenous recycling industries for sustainable development through the selection of competent, hardworking and professional personnel as ministers of environment and trade who will support your agenda for environmental management and sustainable management of the nation challenges under this initiatives and programs.

Lastly, we hope the 10th National Assembly will support your initiatives by enacting a law under this program with special reference to waste picking and collection as a bedrock for national development.Your Excellency, Mr. President Sir, Asiwaju, Jagaban, we wish you God’s guidance in all your future endeavors.

Signed:

COMRADE SALISU ALI YARIMA. NATIONAL PRESIDENT, ACWREDON/WAPAN.