Scavengers Want More Waste Recycling Plants

Scavengers at the Eleme junction axis of the East/West road in Rivers State, have called for the construction of more wastes to wealth plants in the country.
They said that this is necessary inorder to increase the patronage of scrabs in the country.
Some of them who spoke to The Tide at a waste dump site, said that some scrab buyers are complaining of inadequate recycling plants in the country.
They also said that the job is no longer attractive because of low patronage but added that they will continue scavenging as there is no job in the country.
Speaking with The Tide Mr. Sulieman Saminu, said that he decided to pick scrabs from the dustbins to sell because of lack of jobs in the country.
Saminu said that, though the job is not what one can wish for his children, but for now that is the only source of his livelihood.
“Due to lack of job opportunities, I decided to do this scavenging work in order to feed my family.
Also speaking, Mr. Saraga Mohammed said that, to be a scavenger, you have to be determined and committed for success, but added that most upcoming youths will not like to be involved because of the hazardous nature of the work. According to him the government can make the job attractive for the youths by building more waste to wealth plants to increase patronage of scrabs.
Also speaking, Mr. Tasiu Ras, decried the high rate of mortality among scavenges, stressing that their poor condition of service has made it difficult to afford daily medical bills.
“Scavenging is hard and risky interms of health. But since there is no job in the country, I decided to continue with it” he said.
He however told The Tide that he made N20,000 every month from the business, stressing that this amount takes care of both feeding and medical treatment.

John Bibor