Job opportunity opens for scavengers as paper mill recycles waste for consumption, exports

A new job and economic empowerment opportunity has opened for Nigerian youths who make a living from scavenging as Dahua Paper Company Nigeria Limited, a Chinese-Nigerian Paper Mill located at Owiwi on the outskirts of Abeokuta, Ogun State adopts a full-fledged waste-to-wealth mechanism in the production of papers, cartons and packages used to wrap and brand various fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs).

The Paper Mill that will be commissioned soon by Ogun and Federal Governments promises jobs and empowerment opportunities for the youths as its production relies on waste paper supplies not only from Lagos, Kano, Edo and Ogun states, but also from other parts of the country for continuity.

Speaking during a tour of the recycling plant by officials of Ogun state government led by Bimbo Ashiru, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hong Weijian, Chairman of the company,  said the plant was being constructed and operated in phases as it was designed to be the largest paper mill in Africa.

He noted that the first phase, which was still under test-run, produces 500 tons of products daily, having employed 300 Nigerians and 20 expatriates that are currently working as staff members, and thousands of youths from Kano, Lagos, Edo and Ogun states who scavenge and supply paper wastes being used for production.

“This is Dahua Paper Company Nigeria Limited; we are here at Owiwi in Ogun state where we collect paper wastes, recycle and turn them to packages and brands for fast moving consumable goods. We use almost 100 percent raw materials sourced from wastes for our production, and the plant is fully automated.

“We are producing 500 tons per day for the first phase and we hope to open several phases of our plants here, that make us  the largest Paper Mill in Africa. At present, we have 20 expatriates here who will transfer the technology to the Nigerians that will continue to operate our plants at full capacity”, he said.

Responding, the commissioner said the recycling plant which is the largest Paper Mill in Africa, has brought in new technology that would really put much-talked about waste-to-wealth scheme in operation, adding that the plants would not only increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, but also create jobs through wastes.

He however, requested the management of the company to make good their pledge by transferring the real technology to Nigerians as part of effort to boost production capacity and technological know-how, asking the management to also pay much premium on sound health and security of the workers  in the plants since it deals in wastes.

“What thrills me today is the fact that Dahua Paper Company collects all the waste paper all over the country –Lagos, Kano, Edo, Ogun etc and bring them here and you can see what they are producing. The Paper Mill does about 500 tons per day, they work 24/7, they never have a downturn, and they have been able to do a lot of work here, you could see the value chain.

“Another thing that makes me proud is that in their packages, they write ‘Made in Ogun State, Nigeria’; that shows that Ogun is still on the front burner as usual. The good news is that all these papers and packages that are being brought from Europe, are now here in Ogun state. All we will continue to do is to create more enabling business environment for investors”, he assured.