The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has launched a new task force to combat illegal activities and vandalism of public infrastructure in Nigeria.
The initiative, unveiled in Katsina State, seeks to uphold the integrity of the circular economy by curbing the actions of individuals who sabotage public assets, thereby threatening economic progress.
In a statement issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja, the minister of information and national orientation, Muhammed Idris, represented by special assistant on Research & Strategy Saidu Ahmed, discussed the task force’s role in strengthening the relationship between Nigerian citizens and governmental responsibilities.
He also highlighted the recently launched Renewed Hope Circular Economy Roadmap 2024.
He emphasised the importance of the National Values Charter, carefully crafted to redefine the relationship between Nigerian citizenship and the country’s responsibility to its people.
On his part, the minister of environment, Balarabe Abbas, cited a report showing that Nigeria generates an estimated 32 million tons of solid waste annually.
He noted that the circular economy sector had spurred a 3.2 percent GDP increase, improved the trade balance with a 4.4 billion euro boost from imports, and created 1.6 million additional jobs compared to a “business-as-usual” approach.
Similarly, the chairman of NAK Steel Rolling Mills Company Ltd (Sardauna Funtua), Alhaji Akilu Hassan Mohammed, praised the Katsina State government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for their progressive policies supporting the circular economy.
He highlighted the Ministry of Environment’s commitment to sustaining sectoral growth.
Alhaji Aminu Soja addressed the sector’s challenges and emphasized the need for ongoing government and private sector collaboration.
NASWDEN announced plans for a national stakeholder tour to engage with government ministries, departments, agencies, and international organisations. This tour aims to rally support for the circular economy sector and will culminate in the first National Circular Economy Workers Summit in early 2025.
NASWDEN stated that the summit seeks to strengthen collaboration among sector stakeholders, enhance productivity, and create jobs to support the nation’s economy.
