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The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has announced that its members will embark on an industrial action beginning October 1.
The strike, which is expected to last until October 15, may continue indefinitely if no agreement is reached with steel producers.
Scrap metals are a vital raw material for the production of iron rods and other steel products, meaning the action could have far-reaching consequences for the construction and manufacturing sectors.
NASWDEN President, Alhaji Abdulfatah Adisa Ogunwale, said in a statement on Friday that the decision was taken in response to persistent irregularities in the scrap-metal trade.
He explained that the association’s members have endured unfair practices that threaten their livelihoods, and insisted that the strike was aimed at securing a fair resolution.
He urged members to remain peaceful and law-abiding throughout the protest, stressing that the association’s objective is dialogue rather than confrontation.
Speaking in Kano, the Deputy National President of NASWDEN, Alhaji Aminu Hassan Soja, outlined the grievances that prompted the strike.
He accused steel companies of slashing scrap prices without prior notice, leaving dealers with losses that could reach as high as six million naira on a single truckload.
He also condemned deductions imposed under the guise of “extra dust,” which he said amounted to between one and five percent of transactions.
The association further raised alarm over the growing involvement of foreigners in the scrap-metal business, warning that their dominance threatens indigenous dealers.
NASWDEN also alleged that some companies purchase scrap from unregistered agents, a practice it said could encourage the circulation of vandalised property in the market.
The association appealed to government agencies to regulate the industry and ensure that only registered dealers supply scrap to steel companies.
It stressed that the strike is not intended to cause chaos but to push for reforms that protect Nigerian dealers and strengthen the sector. (Daily Trust)
