The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun State Waste Management Agency (OGWAMA), Mr. Abayomi Hunye, has described the recent protest by a faction of the Vendors Association as a calculated attempt to pressure his office into endorsing illegal practices.

Speaking exclusively with The News Ville, Hunye said the grievances raised by the protesters were unfounded, misleading and capable of inciting public distrust against the agency, insisting that the demonstration had little to do with genuine concerns.

According to him, the individuals involved in the protest had been suspended by their own association on November 20, 2023, well before he assumed office as head of the agency. He noted that their suspension was based on allegations of fraud, misrepresentation and forgery, which he said were properly documented.

“Upon assumption of office, I made it clear that OGWAMA would not aid, abet or condone any form of illegality. My refusal to compromise institutional standards or shield wrongdoing is the real reason behind the current protest,” Hunye said.

He dismissed claims that he had collected funds from the protesting individuals, explaining that all payments made by vendors were paid directly into Ogun State Government coffers, with verifiable evidence to support the transactions.

Hunye urged the general public to disregard the claims and actions of the protesting group, describing the allegations as an attempt to coerce the agency into allowing practices that are illegal and against public interest.

The OGWAMA boss, who is also a former governorship candidate, suggested that the persistent protests may not be unconnected to political motives, a development he said deserves closer scrutiny.

Reaffirming his commitment to transparency and accountability, Hunye stated that OGWAMA under his leadership has introduced impartial and transparent operational policies, including the discontinuation of multiple and illegal vendor registrations, a practice he said the protesting group strongly opposed due to the personal benefits previously derived from it.

“My position 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,” he said.

He added that the agency remains focused on professionalism, environmental sustainability and the collective interest of Ogun State, assuring residents that OGWAMA would not be distracted from its mandate by what he described as pressure tactics.