The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has disowned a strike notice circulated to scrap dealers across the country, urging members to ignore it and continue their legitimate businesses.

Chief Dr. Joseph Onu Enemona, who described himself as the Agent Chairman of the association, said the leadership headed by National President, Pastor Luke Uchechukwu Ogbu, did not authorise any strike.

Enemona accused mastermind of the notice of attempting to force operators to suspend business and warned against any effort to enforce the disputed action.

He said anyone found intimidating or compelling members to join the strike could be reported to security agencies for appropriate action.

According to him, members should continue their businesses without fear of harassment, intimidation or extortion.

Enemona said: “Our members should go about their legitimate businesses. Nobody should allow himself to be intimidated or forced into any illegal strike.”

He described the circulation of the strike notice as capable of disrupting the scrap business, particularly at a time operators were already contending with difficult economic conditions.

The NASWDEN official said prices in the scrap trade were largely determined by market forces of demand and supply and should not be manipulated through threats or coercion.

He urged members across the country to remain resolute and resist attempts by unauthorised persons to impose decisions on them.

Enemona also said the association’s leadership was taking steps to address the activities of those he described as rival claimants and ensure that members were protected from harassment.

He maintained that security agencies would be approached where necessary to prevent any unlawful enforcement of the strike notice. (The Sun)