Kaduna govt abolishes independent waste collectors, as ZL Global Alliance set to engage1,500 graduates
((M-L Director MENR, Ahmed Salihu, MD, ZLGA, Abiola Bashorun at a press briefing in Kaduna on Wednesday))
//Environment: Shola Segun, Kaduna//
Kaduna State government yesterday said it has abolish the operation of independent waste collectors in Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria and anyone caught henceforth will be dealt with accordingly.
This was also as the state government said it is engaging the service of 1,500 graduates who will in turn engage 10 other persons to effectively manage wastes in the state.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Nasir El-Rufai at a press briefing in Kaduna on Wednesday, Director of Environment, the State’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Ahmed Saliu, said those still interested must registered with ZL Global Alliance which is key contractor engaged by the state government to manage waste in the state.
He added that the major reasons for the development are to check security, creates gainful employment for graduates and increase internally generated revenue for the state.
“The government has already met with independent waste collectors some of whom have been doing it for quite a long time. They were made to understand that their operation is lopsided and have been advised to register with ZL Global Alliance.
“We are also using the opportunity to check security because we need to know who is doing what and this can be done when everyone involved is fully registered. Henceforth, it is a crime for any company to operate as private and not through ZL Global Alliance in managing waste in Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria and anyone found culpable will be sanctioned accordingly”, he said.
Also speaking, Managing Director, ZL Global Alliance, Abiola Bashorun, hinted that some individuals have been going round the state illegally to collect waste levy running into millions every month without remitting anything into the state government pause.
She further said that her company will commence house to house waste collection simultaneously come December 1st, 2016 ahead of termination of the first phase of the contract which is 31st of December 2016.
According to her, “We are bringing in smaller company on board including the independent waste collectors. Some of them have been there since 1984. We are saying they should come and register with us as they were told when the Governor and other State executive council members met with them recently.
“What we are doing is transparent and that is why why are working under close supervision of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) and Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. We are moving with minimum of wheelbarrow and maximum of compacting trucks.
“That means no private organization or individual is permitted to collect any waste collection levy/fee on behalf of the state government apart from the recognized ZL Global Alliance.
“We are going to employ 1,500 graduates who indigenes of the state in all out franchise areas who will also engage ten others of lower education cadre to work under them.
“Waste to cash initiative is not dead. We want to look at from other way round. For instance, if we can be doing it once a month where as in environmental day and people after sweeping and clearing their premises especially those in the market place and stand by their waste, we can then come to evacuate and compensate them”, she explained.