His Excellency The Executive Governor of Edo state-
Honorable Minister of Trade and Industries-
Honorable Minister of Environment-
The Consulate-General to the people Republic of China-
The speaker Edo state house of assembly-
Honorable Commissioner, trade, commerce and industry-
Honorable Commissioner of Environment-
The managing Director QI Hang Paper industry-
Honorable Members Edo State House of Assembly-
Representative of other paper companies here present-
Security Agency’s here present-
Our royal fathers here present-
ACWREDON Members here, present-
Waste Pickers members here present-
My Fellow Comrades-
Members of the press-
Ladies and gentlemen.
I have the pleasure to thank almighty God for sparing our lives to witness
this occasion under the current indefatigable, innovative leader, responsible,
and always responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Edo
state, a working governor his Excellency Governor Godwin Nogheghase
Obaseki, the executive governor Edo state.
Immediately I received the invitation to attend this occasion I was having a
meeting with the labour Union on the issue of Waste pickers embargo placed
on them to stop functioning in the FCT as the event is very important I have
to reschedule myself to attend this event as it is also another welcome
development towards economic development, poverty reduction, youths
employment, climate change, and the reduction of environmental pollution
in the state, and in the country in general.
As you may already know, According to a United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO) report, Nigeria generates over 32
million tonnes of waste annually, and only 30% (approximately 9 million tons)
is collected and recycled. This alarming figure poses a severe threat to our
environment and contributes significantly to climate change and
environmental pollution. As Waste pickers and waste collectors, we are on
the front line in tackling this problem, and we have been advocating for the
establishment of recycling industries across the country. Therefore, we are
grateful to the Edo State Government for support and cooperation given to the
QI HANG PAPER NIG LTD industry in Benin, Edo state.
This paper industry, which is to be commission today is a full manifestation
of the Edo state government resolve to provide youths employment, poverty
reduction, increase wealth and above all economic development of the state
and the entire nation, which is also one of our cardinal objectives as an
association, with a view to supplementing government effort in
providingJob opportunities to our people.
WASTE PICKERS:
Regrettably, we express our discontent with the treatment of waste pickers
in Nigeria. These informal workers play a vital role in fostering the circular
economy and advancing sustainable development goals, particularly SDG
11 (Sustainable cities and communities), SDG 12 (Responsible
production and consumption), and SDG 13 (Climate action). It is
dishearteningthat waste pickers are frequently denied their rights and lack
recognition as essential contributors to society. While we acknowledge that
there may be a few bad actors among us, it is crucial to understand that this
does not reflect the entire waste picking community. Recently, we have
witnessed the unjust ban imposed by the Abuja police, in Abuja, prohibiting waste
pickers from conducting their operations in the capital. We must
emphatically assert that WASTE PICKING IS NOT A CRIMINAL ACTIVITY! I repeat,
WASTE PICKING IS NOT A CRIME. Such discriminatory actions are unacceptable,
and we fervently urge both the federal and state governments to extend their
support and acknowledgment to waste pickers and waste collectors. It is
imperative that we recognize their significant role in preserving our
environment, stimulating the nation’s economy, and their meaningful
contribution towards achieving the SDGs.
Your Excellency sir, here in Edo state we have already gone too far in tackling
the issue of climate change, youth’s unemployment. and environmental
pollution through ACWREDON by inaugurating the association long ago
with more than 1000membersin Edo state working round the clock to improve
the economy of Edo state through waste picking collection, collecting plastic
waste Cartons and other recyclable materials supplying them as raw materials to foreign companies in
Ogun state and other part of Nigeria for recycling them into new objects.
In this regards your Excellency sir, our challenges in the Waste picking and
waste collection is that we are handicap in accessing financial support from
relevant government agencies such as the CBN, bank of industry,
development bank of Nigeria and many more, so that we can improve the
recycling business in terms of establishing indigenous recycling industries
for sustainable development.
Your Excellency sir, this Occasion will be incomplete without registering
our challenges or grievancesin achieving our Cardinal objectives, asfollows:
- We appeal to the QI HANG PAPER LTD & other industriesto establish
additional industries in Nigeria especially in Lagos, PHC and Kano state and
urge foreign companies to remain In there industries and allow the
indigenous supplies to supply them with the required raw materials. This is
with a view to preventing the foreigners from engaging and informal
activities, and trading. The essence of this provision is to safeguard, the
interest of indigenous waste pickers and collectors and enable Nigerians to
participate and remain in the business of waste collection and disposal, as a
means of curtailing unemployment, poverty reduction, and all the social vices
in the business. - We appeal to this newly established industry to be fair and just, when it
comes to scaling and weighing, especially in the issue of moisture deduction
and also avoid unilateral fixing of price. - We also want the industry to provide a space for a desk officer who will
be representing members of our associations in addressing any issue
pertaining to our members. Having a designated representative willfacilitate
effective communication and collaboration, ensuring that the concerns and
needs of our members are appropriately addressed.
Finally, we hope this industry will be a great benefits to the people of Edo
state and Nigeria in general.
Thank you.