By Faridat Salifu
Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, is facing a serious sanitation crisis, as residents complain of inadequate waste management, littered drainages, and health hazards.
The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), the agency responsible for overseeing waste management in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been accused of negligence and inefficiency by the residents, who say they are left to fend for themselves in disposing of their waste.
NatureNews Correspondent visited some of the affected areas in Abuja, such as Dawaki, Dutse, and Dutse Alhaji, and spoke to some of the residents about the challenges they face due to poor sanitation.
They expressed frustration and dissatisfaction with the AEPB, saying that the agency has failed to provide regular and reliable waste collection services, forcing them to resort to hiring freelance waste pickers or dumping their waste in open spaces, drainages, and roadsides.
Safia, a resident of Dawaki zone 7, said that she and her neighbors often have to pay extra fees to waste collectors to take away their garbage, as the AEPB rarely shows up in their area.
She said that this has resulted in a huge pile of waste along the road from Dawaki to Dutse, creating an eyesore and a health risk for the community.
She said that the waste attracts flies, rodents, and mosquitoes, which spread diseases such as malaria, typhoid, and cholera.
She also said that the waste emits a foul smell, making the area unpleasant to live in.
Safia called on the government to take sanitation more seriously, and to ensure that the AEPB performs its duties effectively.
She said that some countries conduct sanitation exercises daily, and wondered why Nigeria cannot do the same.
She also suggested that the government should introduce more stringent penalties for those who litter the environment, and provide more public bins and dumpsters for proper waste disposal.
Hassan, a resident of Dutse, echoed Safia’s sentiments, saying that he and his family have been suffering from malaria and other illnesses due to the poor sanitation in their area.
He said that the drainages in Dutse are clogged with waste, causing stagnant water to accumulate and breed mosquitoes.
He said that the drainages also overflow during the rainy season, causing flooding and erosion in the area.
He said that the AEPB has not been responsive to their complaints, and has not taken any action to clear the drainages or provide alternative waste disposal options.
Hassan appealed to the government to intervene and address the sanitation issues in Dutse, saying that the situation is unbearable and unacceptable.
He said that the government should prioritize the health and well-being of the citizens, and provide them with a clean and conducive environment to live in.
In response to the outcry of the residents, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to reintroduce monthly sanitation measures in Abuja, starting from February.
The plan entails having two Saturdays each month dedicated to sanitation activities from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., during which residents are expected to clean their surroundings and dispose of their waste properly.
The minister said that the aim is to boost
cleanliness in the city, and to promote a healthier environment for the residents.
He said that the AEPB will be restructured and re-equipped to perform its functions more effectively, and that the government will provide more support and incentives for waste management in the FCT.
The minister also warned that anyone who violates the sanitation rules or litters the environment will face severe sanctions, such as fines, imprisonment, or community service.
He urged the residents to cooperate with the government and the AEPB, and to participate actively in the sanitation exercises.
He said that the government is committed to revitalizing Abuja’s sanitation, and to making the city a model of cleanliness and environmental sustainability.
