...As recognized vendors pass a vote of confidence in his stewardship
The Managing Director of OGWAMA, Abayomi Hunye, has dared aggrieved waste vendors of the Association of Waste Management and Recyclers of Nigeria ( AWMVRN) to provide evidence of extortion allegations against him. The vendors had protested, accusing Hunye of extortion and arbitrary levies, but he clarified that the allegations are false and payments were remitted to the Ogun State Government.
The group had on Monday staged a protest in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, accusing Hunye of persistent extortion, arbitrary levies and attempts to edge out long-standing operators in the scrap and recycling sector
The OGWAMA boss made this known on Thursday during a media parley held at Iwe-Iroyin, Oke-ilewo ,Abeokuta on maintained that he never extorted anyone, adding that he only increased levies which according to him is justified.
Hunye stated that he only increased levies, which vendors had already paid before protesting. He said the adjustment was implemented in 2024 and questioned why it was being raised in 2026. He emphasized his transparency and OGWAMA's achievements,which include the acquisition of additional four compactors, Three buses and employment of 200 staff to the agency agency ,challenging aggrieved vendors to prove their claims.
He submitted that he was shocked when he read the news that he has extorted members of an association who have been suspended before his assumption into office.
His words " The extortion allegation leveled against me is nothing but untrue, what i know is that we increased levies from 100, 000 to 200,000 which they have paid already before the protest on Monday.The adjustment of fees being discussed is not new. It was implemented in 2024, and I find it curious that the same matter is being resurrected in 2026, after it had long been settled.
"These set of people have been suspended even before i assumed office. I was shocked to read it in news that i extorted them. This is a blatant lie.
"I want to challenge them to provide evidence if i have extorted them, they should be able to show you the proof i have collected money illegally from them, let them provide evidence. These people want to tarnish my name and i want to retain my good name. I have been transparent, under my leadership, OGWAMA has recorded landmark achievements in which the State is proud".
Hunye further emphasised that his foremost concern is the protection of his integrity and the credibility of OGWAMA, stressing that the agency operates strictly within its statutory powers to review and adjust fees when necessary.
Vendors' Exco Suspended, Says AWMVRN Chairman
Association Chairman Adesanya Kunle speaking at the media Parley,insisted the protesters were suspended in 2023 for unlawful practices. He claimed they formed a new association without state approval and were not authentic executives members. Adesanya said the group had multiple atrocities and were suspended, with letters sent to the police and government.
Adesanya disclosed that the group of people who were suspended due to their involvement in unlawful practices, subsequently formed another association- ‘Association of Waste Managers, Vendors and Recyclers of Nigeria, without approval from the state government.
“All these people parading themselves as the authentic members of the association are not. They have been suspended since 2023 due to illegal practices which are against OGWAMA and the state government. They were involved in multiple atrocities and they were suspended for that. I wrote the then Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner for Environment and copied the DSS.
“Part of the policies of the state government that a company must not register more than one venture, but these people were going against that policy"
Meanwhile, large numbers of the authentic Association's leaders and members at the venue passed a vote of confidence in the stewardship of the OGWAMA's Boss, displaying placards with solidarity support inscriptions.
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