By Abiemwense Moru
On the streets of many bustling cities in Nigeria, there is a curious group of service providers that sights can hardly miss because they render informal but essential service to residents of those cities.
They are the ‘Baban Bola’ waste pickers, informal waste collectors whose essential services, overlooked as they seem, fill the vacuum left by public agencies saddled with the responsibility of waste management.
Badamasi Abubakar is a 25-year-old waste collector who has spent three years collecting trash to make a living.
“I sort plastics, irons, and nylons from the dustbin; I sell them to different companies. Some days I make up to ₦400, ₦500, or ₦600. I eat from the money I make in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and send the remaining to my parents in the village.
“I’ve been doing this for over three years. It is hard work, but someone has to do it. “I will be happy if the government can help me because some people see Baban Bola as thieves, as some actually steal while others do not steal,” he says.
He says he is contributing to society as he picks waste, adding that people also help him as he does his work.
Abubakar is one of thousands of waste pickers in Nigeria who collect, sort, and sell recyclable materials to earn a living.
Abubakar and his colleagues collect and sort recyclable waste they should not be mistaken for scavengers.
They go about collecting disposed sellable waste items such as plastics, scrap metals, electrical appliances, and vehicle parts, but do not collect waste for a fee.
While these informal waste collectors complain that they make vital contributions to waste management in cities but are often stigmatised and marginalised, some do not buy their lamentation.
For instance, many Federal Capital Territory residents believe that their existence in the first place is a result of failure in the waste management system, thus faulting their call for support from the government.
Some residents say their experiences with baban bola have necessitated placing them under scrutiny each time they come for waste collection.
However, many acknowledge that those informal waste collectors provide the essential services the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has failed to provide, especially in satellite towns.
Judging by recent events, the legal status of Baban bola may soon change as the Federal Government has pledged to develop a National Digital Repository for waste collectors.
The initiative aims to formalise their work, improve their working conditions, and unlock their economic potential in recognition of their essential role in waste management.
Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, made this statement at a meeting in Abuja on the National Digital Repository for Waste Pickers in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the meeting was a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Environment, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and Tearfund Nigeria.
Lawal stated that informal waste collectors are the backbone of waste recovery, contributing significantly to recycling and the circular economy.
“We cannot discuss sustainable waste management without referencing the operations of waste pickers, who form an integral part of the waste management value chain.
“They form an informal group whose activities encompass all aspects of waste management, from collection, sorting, transportation, processing, and selling of recovered and recyclable materials to earn a living.
“The growing demand for recyclable materials and the transition to a circular economy make it imperative for governments and the general public to recognise, regulate, and integrate waste pickers into the overall waste management effort.”
The minister added that the integration of waste pickers would unlock their immense economic potential by using them as reliable foot soldiers.
“Globally, there is an increasing recognition of the role of waste pickers in plastic management, and great effort is being made by local authorities to integrate and create partnerships with waste pickers associations.
“There is improvement in the level of engagement with waste pickers associations in the formulation of solid waste management policy and the national plastic policy,” the minister said.
According to Vanessa Phala-Moyo, Country Director of the ILO, the government’s recognition of waste pickers is a game-changer.
“It’s a step towards inclusive and sustainable waste management.
“The National Digital Repository will provide waste pickers with identification cards, training, and access to markets, enabling them to sell their materials at better prices.
“This will not only improve their livelihoods but also enhance waste management efficiency and reduce environmental pollution.”
Abubakar was also excited at the idea of a repository for waste collectors as a prospect him and his colleagues had hoped for.
“This means we’ll be recognised as legitimate workers, not just junkmen. We’ll have better opportunities and a safer working environment,” he enthused.
As the impact of the proposed National Digital Repository extends beyond waste pickers, it hopes to create a ripple effect, inspiring communities to take ownership of their environment.
“We’re seeing a change in mindset,” says Chiranjibi Tiwari, United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF) Representative.
According to Tiwari, people are recognising the value of waste management and taking action.
“Therefore, waste pickers, who are at the beginning of the waste management cycle (segregation, collection, transportation, processing, re-use/recycling), are a critical part of our environmental management and health.”
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Kenneth Igweh, who was represented by CSP Austine Anaiah, said the repository would enable the Police and other security agencies to go after the perpetrators of crime in the FCT who disguise as waste collectors.
Waste collection was not the only environmental issue discussed at the National Digital Repository for Waste Pickers meeting.
Stakeholders also discussed a collective effort regarding beach cleaning, glass recycling, and other initiatives.
It was acknowledged that the federal government’s beach cleaning initiative had brought together communities, organisations, and individuals to tackle the scourge of marine pollution.
Experts say regular clean-up exercises have resulted in the collection of tonnes of waste, including plastics, glass, and other non-biodegradable materials.
The Foundation for a Better Environment (FABE) in partnership with Pernod Ricard, recently launched a glass recycling programme, collecting used glass bottles and transforming them into usable products like glass beads and decorative items.
The convener of the beach clean-up, Mrs Temitope Okunnu, also founder and Chief Executive Officer of FABE Foundation, applauded Pernod Ricard’s efforts in promoting sustainability awareness among Nigerians.
‘’The initiative has not only reduced waste but also created employment opportunities for local artisans.
‘’Grassroots organisations like the Beach Clean-Up Group and the Recycling Initiative are driving change at the community level.
“These groups have mobilised volunteers, organised clean-up events, and promoted recycling practices, demonstrating the power of collective action.
“Collaborations between government agencies, private companies, and NGOs have been instrumental in advancing waste management and sustainability initiatives.
“Partnerships like the one between Pernod Ricard and FABE have resulted in successful beach clean-ups and glass recycling programmes.”
As Nigeria takes an important step towards creating a register for informal waste collectors, there’s still much work to be done concerning waste management.
Issues of transportation of collected waste, illegal dumpsites and burning of collected waste thereby causing environmental pollution persist.
Without attending to these challenges, the activities on baban bola, with or without a repository, will continue to pose huge environmental, human health, and safety risks. (NANFeatures)
