Waste Management Vendors Protest Alleged Extortion in Ogun State

,Members of the Ogun State Chapter of the Waste Management Vendors and Recyclers Association staged a peaceful protest at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta on Monday. They called for the removal of the Special Adviser on Environment and Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Agency (OGWAMA), Abayomi Hunye, citing high-handedness and excessive levies.

The protesters displayed placards with messages such as “Hunye must go” and “Enough of OGWAMA hardship.” They claimed that operational costs have risen sharply under his leadership, with license fees doubling and compulsory workshop fees being introduced.

The vendors alleged that these policies have caused significant hardship, even claiming that two members died last year due to frustration.

Association Chairman Mrs. Opeoluwa Balogun stated that repeated appeals to Hunye and the Environment Commissioner had yielded no relief. Treasurer Faith Sajobi echoed these concerns, describing the situation as an threat to livelihoods built over decades.

In response, Hunye denied the allegations, stating the protest was a reaction to his enforcement of regulations.

He explained that license fees were increased after five years following consultations, and workshops were newly introduced to build capacity. He also alleged that a cartel previously manipulated waste allocations, a practice he halted, which he believes triggered the protest.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Toyin Taiwo, received the protesters and advised them to formally submit a petition, assuring that the government would review their grievances.