Anti-Vandalism Drive: NASWDEN Inaugurates Northern Executives, Calls for Government Backing

By Our Reporter

The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has inaugurated its Northern Regional Executives alongside the 19 Northern States Executive Council.

Speaking during the event in Abuja, the National President of NASWDEN, Engr. Ogbu Luke Uchechukwu, stated that the inauguration was aimed at ensuring effective and professional coordination of the association’s activities across Northern Nigeria.
He explained that the move was part of broader efforts to achieve NASWDEN’s objectives, which include overseeing the operations of scrap dealers nationwide, collaborating with security agencies, reducing vandalism of national infrastructure, and curbing illegal activities within the sector.
According to him, the association has already established a Task Force to address cases involving the purchase and sale of stolen items among its members across the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states of the federation.
Engr. Ogbu Luke Uchechukwu further noted that the inauguration would help advance the association’s goals, adding that NASWDEN is working closely with security agencies to maintain the integrity of its members in the course of their legitimate business activities.
He recalled that in 2024, the association launched a Task Force tagged “Operation Say No To Vandals” in Abuja, in collaboration with the then Inspector General of Police, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies. He explained that the initiative was designed to monitor and verify scrap materials being transported, ensuring that no stolen government or private property is passed off as scrap.
“In addition, we introduced a system known as ‘Clearance,’” he said. “After proper supervision at loading points, if materials are verified as legitimate, the State Chairman of NASWDEN and the State Monitoring Team Chairman issue a clearance certificate to confirm authenticity. Where any irregularity is found, the monitoring team hands over the suspect to security agencies for prosecution.”
The NASWDEN president emphasized that the association has consistently contributed to Nigeria’s economic development and called on both the Federal and State Governments to provide support for its members nationwide to further achieve its objectives.
He also urged the newly inaugurated Northern executives to avoid actions that could undermine the association’s goals.
Some of the newly inaugurated executives, in their remarks, pledged not to betray the confidence reposed in them.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of appointment letters to the newly inaugurated Northern executives of NASWDEN.