Amid growing concerns over a recent wave of explosions in Kano State, the state government has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of scrap and waste materials from northeastern states affected by insurgency, particularly those hit by the Boko Haram conflict.
The directive was announced by the Kano State Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, retired Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umaru, during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Scraps and Waste Dealers of Nigeria (NASWDEN). The decision, according to the commissioner, was a response to the recent bomb explosion at a scrap warehouse along Western Bypass Road and Kofar Ruwa, which claimed lives and destroyed property.
A statement released by the Ministry’s Director of Public Relations and Enlightenment, Muhd Idris, quoted AVM Umaru as saying that materials from conflict-affected states posed a significant security threat and would be barred from entering Kano until further notice.
“As Kano State will continue to protect your interest and your business, you should come up with a written policy and plans that will boost your business,” Umaru told the scrap dealers.
He urged the association to develop proactive measures to screen scrap materials and ensure that no explosives are concealed within them before transportation into the state.
Responding to the directive, NASWDEN’s regional president, Comrade Aminu Hassan, also known as Sarkin Karafan Kasar Hausa, said the association had already stopped sourcing materials from insurgency-ravaged states. He pledged the association’s commitment to lawful business practices and called on the Kano State Government to support their efforts to sustain the industry.
Comrade Hassan noted that the association was registered under the Trade Union Law of 2004 and operates under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity. He emphasized the critical role the scrap industry plays in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, stating that most companies rely on recycled materials as they cannot afford to purchase new inputs.
“If our business stops, many companies would certainly collapse,” he warned.
He further explained that the scrap business provides employment to thousands of youths, with over 100,000 registered members operating across Kano’s 44 local government areas.
While highlighting ongoing challenges such as the involvement of underage scavengers, Comrade Hassan distanced the association from such practices and blamed the situation on inadequate parental guidance. He acknowledged that some rogue elements within the trade engage in illegal activities, including vandalism and dealing in stolen goods, but said the association collaborates with security agencies to identify and prosecute offenders.
Also speaking at the meeting, Alhaji Akilu Hassan Sardaunan Funtua, a member of the Board of Trustees of NASWDEN and Chairman of NAK, echoed the association’s readiness to work with the Kano State Government to ensure economic stability and prevent further incidents.
He assured the commissioner that the association would remain vigilant and committed to upholding safety standards in the industry.
