The Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) has commended the gesture by a Nigerian who recently alerted the authorities in Abuja about an incident involving the removal of manhole covers.
In a statement signed by the association president, Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima, the group said it was a kind of civic responsibility to be emulated by all.
According to the statement, “We commend the Honorable Minister and the Nigerian Police Command for their swift response in arresting 50 suspects and recovering 25 stolen manhole covers and solar streetlights. Their decisive action is needed to address such sabotage, which puts lives at risk and damages the image of our nation’s capital. As an association, we stand firmly behind efforts to address these issues and restore order.
“What brings us pride amid this unfortunate event is the confirmation that none of the individuals arrested are members of WAPAN. This speaks volumes about the structure and discipline we uphold within our organisation. WAPAN is committed to ensuring our members operate with integrity and professionalism.
“We take the processes of identification, guarantorship, and management seriously because we believe waste picking should be a source of dignity, not shame. This incident also allows us to collaborate more closely with stakeholders.
“We are calling on the Honorable Minister to meet with WAPAN and explore how we can work together to tackle vandalism and ensure better protection of public assets. We have systems to curb such acts and identify individuals whose actions undermine the trust placed in waste pickers.
“Similarly, we urge the Abuja Police Command to partner with us to ensure only legitimate waste pickers are operating in the capital city. By working hand in hand, we can address these challenges more effectively and showcase the positive contributions of waste pickers to society.”
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