FCTA Introduces Monthly Environmental Sanitation in Abuja

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will introduce monthly environmental sanitation as part of strategies to rid Abuja of filth.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, disclosed this after a closed-door meeting with contractors handling different projects in the FCT.

Wike said he had already sold the idea to President Bola Tinubu that at least two Saturdays in a month from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. be dedicated to sanitation.

He said that everybody must cooperate if Abuja is to be a clean city.

He stated that the initiative would enable companies supporting the FCT with logistics to go to the market, and other public places to evacuate refuse.

“We must all make sacrifices. There is nothing like we are going to suffer. You also contribute to refuse. So, if you spare three hours on a Saturday at home to clear the refuse and bring them out for us to evacuate and dispose, then that is the little way you can help.

“We are appealing to you (residents) to cooperate with us so we can achieve our goals,” Wike said.

The minister also said the issue of distorting the Abuja Master Plan would also be addressed.

He said the FCTA was working out which areas the parks and the greens were supposed to be and those that were built on.

He vowed that the government would also look into those who refuse to develop their plots for many years, adding that the Tinubu-led administration would not continue to allow undeveloped land across the city where criminals were taking refuge.

“How can you have empty land in the city and allow people to build shanties on them because you did not develop them.

“Some properties were built for 20 years but not completed. Go and see what is happening there, criminals have taken over the place and as a serious government, we will not allow that.

“We want to make Abuja a safe environment, but we can’t do it alone; we require the support of every stakeholder,” Wike said.