By Muhd Dahir Idris
The Kano state government has directed a temporary stoppage of importation of scraps and wasted materials from north eastern states especially those affected by Boko Haram War and Insurgency.
The commissioner for internal security and special services, retired AVM Ibrahim Umaru gave the directive during a meeting with leadership of the National Association of Scraps and waste dealers,employers of Nigeria NASWDEN.
Retired Air vice Marsha Ibrahim Umaru said the directive was a sequel to the recent bomb explosion at the warehouse of such scraps material along Western bypass road and Kofar Ruwa which resulted in the loss of lives and properties.
He urged members of the association to evolve measures aimed at preventing such occurrence and ensure that there are no explosives in such scraps materials before being imported into the state .
“As Kano state will continue to protect your interest and your business, you should come up with written policy and plans that will boost your business” the commissioner added.
Earlier, the regional President of the association,Comrade Aminu Hassan , Sarkin Karafan Kasar Hausa told the commissioner that they had already stopped buying scrapped and wastes materials from such states bedeviled by Boko Haram and insurgency in the northeast.
He assured the commissioner that they will continue to be law abiding business partners, and stressed the need for the Kano state government to support them to improve their business.
Comrade Aminu Hassan remarked that their associate was established under trade union law of 2004, and is being regulated by the federal ministry of Labour and productivity.
He maintained that most of the companies in the country depend solely on their scraps material for production as they couldn’t buy virgin or new materials for production, adding that if their business stops a lot of companies will certainly collapse.
He further added that the activities of their association create more jobs among teeming unemployed youths, as they have over one hundred thousands registered members across the 44 local governments.
Comrade Aminu Hassan outlined some challenges affecting their business which includes inflows of underaged children as a scavengers and disassociated themselves from involvement of children into the business, while blaming their parents or guardians for poor moral upbringing.
He revealed that some unscrupulous members sometimes vandalized some properties and buy stolen items, adding that the association helps the security in arresting and prosecution any body found wanting.
Also commenting, the member Board Trustee of the association Alh Akilu Hassan Sardaunan Funtua,and chairman NAK, stressed the need for collaboration with the Kano state government towards ensuring stable economic growth and development,and promised the commissioner that they will not relent in their efforts to protect future occurrence of such incidence.
