He disclosed this in an official statement released to the press on Tuesday, Hunye said the individuals involved in the protest had been suspended by their own association on November 20, 2023, several months before he assumed office as the head of the Agency.
Recall that protesters on Monday staged a protest in Abeokuta over alleged persistent extortion, arbitrary levies and attempts to edge out long-standing operators in the state’s scrap and recycling sector.
According to Hunye, the suspension of the individuals was based on documented accusations of fraud, misrepresentation, and forgery, adding that OGWAMA would not condone or shield any form of illegality under his leadership.
The OGWAMA boss explained that his insistence on maintaining institutional standards and refusing to compromise due process was the real reason behind the protest, noting that the Agency has since introduced transparent, accountable, and impartial operational policies.
He also refuted claims that he collected money from the protesters, stating that available payment records clearly show that all funds were paid directly into the coffers of the Ogun State Government.
Hunye further revealed that OGWAMA discontinued the practice of multiple and illegal vendor registrations, a move he said some individuals opposed due to benefits they previously enjoyed.
While stressing that internal disputes within the association should be resolved internally, the Managing Director reaffirmed OGWAMA’s commitment to upholding the law and maintaining professionalism in the discharge of its duties.
He urged members of the public to disregard the allegations and actions of the protesters, assuring residents of Ogun State that the Agency remains committed to transparency, environmental sustainability, and the effective delivery of its mandate.
His words” The individuals involved in this protest were suspended by their own association on 20th November, 2023, long before I assumed office as the MD/CEO of OGWAMA.
“Prior to my appointment, there were several petitions written against this group to OGWAMA and other relevant security and oversight institutions, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Ogun State House of Assembly, and the Nigeria Police Force, by the leadership of their association.
“The suspension of these individuals by their association was based on allegations of fraud, misrepresentation, and forgery, which were duly documented.
“Upon assumption of office, I made it clear that OGWAMA would not aid, abet, or condone any form of illegality. My firm refusal to compromise institutional standards or shield wrongdoing is the real reason behind the current protest.
“However, it is quite surprising that I am accused of collecting from these individuals when all payments evidence reflected that those payments were made into the coffers of the Ogun State Government.
“The Agency, under my watch has since introduced impartial, transparent, and accountable operational policies, including the discontinuation of multiple and illegal registrations by individuals, a practice which this group vehemently opposed due to the benefits they previously derived from it.
“My position, notwithstanding, has remained consistent and unequivocal: the association must resolve its internal disputes internally, while OGWAMA will continue to uphold the law and will neither tolerate nor overlook any illegal activities under any guise.
Meanwhile, in a press conference addressed by the Chairman of the Association of Waste Management Vendors and Recyclers of Ogun state, Mr Adesanya Kunle, the Association confirmed that the protesters had been suspended indefinitely since 2023, insisting they are no longer authentic excos of the Association.
Adesanya also 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.
“The reason they staged the protest against the SA/MD, Mr Abayomi Hunyen was because he is a man who would not condone corruption and these set of people wanted him to approve or embrace their corrupt acts and because they couldn't have their way, they decided to level unfounded allegations against the MD”.
