Founding Chairman of the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN), Alhaji Suleiman Lateef, has said over five million jobs will be created in the scrap/waste sector in 2025.
Lateef made this known at the inauguration of a Caretaker Committee for the association in Abuja.
According to Lateef who doubled as Founding Chairman of Board of Trustee (BOT), the association plays significant roles in contributing to the development of the country’s economy.
“We educate our members on their role as employers of labour in the country.
“We have created about 10 million jobs, but we aim to add five million to make it 15 million before the end of this year,” he said.
Lateef said the association members are law abiding and do not encourage vandalism, adding that the association has a disciplinary committee that deals with any member involved in vandalism.
He said the newly inaugurated committee would usher the association into the delegate conference later this year.
Also speaking, the BOT Deputy Chairman, Mr Edward Ella, reiterated the commitment of the association against vandals, pointing out they are dealers in scraps and supply to end users or companies that deal in recycling of iron rods and steel materials.
“There is no member of NASWDEN that is involved in vandalism, rather we create jobs to boost the economy” Ella said.
The NASWDEN Founding Father Secretary, Mr Stephen Obayuwana, appreciated the Minister of Labour and Productivity for his role in stabilising the association.
Chairman of the inaugurated Committee, Uko Iwaudofia, said he would try his best to checkmate vandalism and sanitise the scrap and waste business.
“This is a multi-billion naira sector which has and is contributing greatly to the economy of the country”.
He said they are the main suppliers to all the rolling mills companies in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, Kano, and Ikurudu.