The Niger State Environmental Protection Agency has dismissed reports alleging that petty traders in the state are being charged ₦100,000 as waste management levy.
Speaking at a press briefing in Minna on Thursday, the General Manager of NISEPA, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad, described the claim circulating on social media as “false and misleading.”
According to him, the agency has a structured billing system that categorises businesses based on size and operations, ensuring that petty traders are not overburdened.
“The report claiming that we increased levies to ₦100,000 is completely untrue,” Muhammad said. “We have an automated billing system that ensures accuracy and fairness, and it does not apply to small traders.”
He explained that the agency recently introduced a “Pay-As-You-Throw” initiative to promote environmental cleanliness while supporting small business owners.
“This initiative, launched on October 10, 2024, allows petty traders to purchase litter bags for just ₦150,” he stated. “It’s an affordable way for them to manage waste responsibly.”
Muhammad urged traders to use the approved litter bags for waste disposal, noting that evacuation vans would collect them regularly.
He also stressed the importance of compliance to prevent wrong classifications and inflated billing.
He assured residents that any bill exceeding the agency’s standard rate — which ranges from ₦25,200 — was likely issued in error.
“Anyone who receives a bill above the standard rate should scan the barcode on the receipt to verify the correct amount,” he said.
The NISEPA boss cautioned against spreading misinformation that could undermine public confidence in government policies.
“We appeal to the public to verify information before sharing. Our goal is to make waste management more efficient, transparent, and beneficial to all,” he added.
Muhammad reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and sustainable waste disposal practices across the state.
