About six years ago, life was peaceful and decent to Saifullahi Kabir, a resident of Faskari Local Government area of Katsina state.
Within this period, 20-year old Kabir was able to go to school, assist his father in the farm and catch fun with friends in the neighborhood.
However, unknown to Kabir, he would be forced to flee the serene environment that had become impossible to live due to the lingering banditry that hit Katsina for almost half a decade.
Although his parents are still alive and living somewhere in Katsina, Kabir decided to flee to Kano state, a commercial nerve centre of Northern state in order to earn a living.
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On arrival in Kano, with the support of some few friends in his hometown, Kabir made a little research on the business that would fetch him decent money to help himself and parents.
Scavenger picking nylon on a refuse dump in Kano
Within short period of time, Kabir became convinced that engaging in scavenging would fulfill his dream as it is a business that does not require any capital to start.
With advice from some scavengers that he was linked to, Kabir decided to put behind all luxurious life he once lived at home and engaged in picking used ‘pure water’ nylon on refuse dumps in order to live a new chapter in his life.
After collecting the used nylon, they sell it to some dealers at N20/kg, a business that now fetches Kabir at least N2,000 daily or N60,000 monthly.
Speaking with BizPoint correspondent while scavenging on one refuse dump in Kano city on Sunday, Kabir said since venturing into the business, he is able to collect at least 100kg of a used sachet water nylon and sometimes make 1 ton in a week.
“I have come to Kano for business after fleeing banditry. For about five years, i have engaged in picking up used ‘pure water’ nylon, bread nylon and other nylon.
“We sell it to some dealers at Viva Company, Sharada, Yankaba, Chedi and other places. We sell it to them at N20K/kg. They onward sell it at N35/kg to bigger companies for exporting the goods abroad. The nylon is used for recycling in abroad and even in Nigeria.
” I am able to make at least 100kg in a day and atimes 1 ton in a week by picking used nylon on refuse dumps across Kano City. It is a business that requires no capital. Your health and fitness are your capital,” he said.
Asked as a youth, how he manages the money he gets, Kabir said” i use the money to feed myself, buy clothes and support my parents in my hometown.
“Some see us as mad, not knowing the life we went through. There is no peace in my state. I had to flee my hometown, Faskari to here because if you stay there, there would be a problem.
“I am forced to flee my hometown to here due to banditry. So, making this fortune in a state that is not mine, is something to thank God for,” he said.
Asked of he takes some protective measures as he climbs refuse dumps barehanded with no boot, glove and facemask, Kabir said “it is God that protects us.”
“We have to do this to survive. Some are saying we are exposed and vulnerable to diseases but, Glory be to God, we do this business barehanded with no protective measures but we are still healthy by the will of Allah.
“Look at how we climb this mountainous refuse dump under the scorching sun, but we are still healthy and strong.
“We have to do this to support our parents. We are displaced by banditry. We were for Ed to leave our hometown, so we have no option than to do this,”
BizPoint understands that by selling at least 100kg of the used nylon at N20, Kabir will make N2,000 daily and N60,000 in a month. This will be a lucrative venture because not every corporate job fetches this amount in a month.
