The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has commenced sanitation oversight as 54 solid waste management contractors resume cleaning and waste evacuation across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Monitoring the start of the exercise on Monday, Enwerem Benjamin, Director of Solid Waste Management (North), said the operation was in line with the minister’s directive to keep the city clean.
It will be recalled that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, recently met with the newly engaged contractors, directing them to ensure immediate improvement in sanitation across the territory and warning against excuses.
Benjamin said the inspection would help ensure full implementation of the contract and assess the deployment of equipment and personnel by the contractors.
He urged residents who do not have proper waste bins to acquire them and desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
“I appreciate the FCT Minister for approving the new city-cleaning contract, which has been long-awaited. It is a major boost for the board.
“Today marks the official commencement of operations by the new contractors, in line with the minister’s directives,” he said.
The director assured that the AEPB would intensify monitoring to ensure the effective deployment of equipment and personnel in the field.
“So far, we have covered the Central Business District (CBD), Maitama District and parts of Asokoro.
“The performance is fair. They started well. If they sustain this momentum, just as the minister said, within five days residents will forget the environmental state they saw in the past,” he added.
Benjamin said the next phase would be inspections to identify households without proper bins.
