Comrade Iloke Nzeribe, NASWDEN National President
A labour group, National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Association, NASWDEN has called on the federal government to give adequate supports to its members and extend its hands in the palliative distributions in the country to the group.
In an exclusive interview with the National President of the group, Comrade Iloke Nzeribe in Abuja on Monday, the group commended the federal government on attention given to the association so far but added that the Covid-19 pandemic which affected all sectors of the economy equally affected their business.
Comrade Nzeribe explained that scrap business contributes over N50 billion annually to the economy, and the raw materials which is sustaining the Iron and Steel rolling mills in the country are sourced majorly and supplied to the rolling mills by their members.
He lamented that despite the critical roles their members provide to the economy, they always suffer neglect and abandonment.
The group called on the federal government to include their members in the ongoing palliatives under the Ministry of the Humanitarian Affairs and Central Bank of Nigeria.
“We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his dogged efforts to strengthen the economy with robust policies.
“Our scrap business generates over N50 billion annually which is a great impetus to the economy with employment of over five million persons nationwide.
“Like other groups, our members deserve to receive palliatives for the sake of equity and justice”, Comrade Nzeribe stated.
He added that promoting metal, scraps business for Nigeria’s industrial revolution also contributes in fighting unemployment as the business engages many who would have been roaming around the streets without any lawful means of livelihoods.