FCTA bans scavengers from city centre

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has banned the activities of scavengers or waste pickers, also known as Baban Bola, from the city centre. The Secretary, FCTA Social Development Secretariat, Mr Ladi Hassan, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja. Hassan said the action was necessitated by the outcries from various residents […]

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has banned the activities of scavengers or waste pickers, also known as Baban Bola, from the city centre.

The Secretary, FCTA Social Development Secretariat, Mr Ladi Hassan, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

Hassan said the action was necessitated by the outcries from various residents to the effect that many valuables have been lost to scavengers in the territory.

“Following the resolution of the FCT Administration to combat armed robbery, kidnappings, vandalism, other forms of crime and criminality in the territory, the administration has ban the activities of scavengers within the city centre.

“Accordingly, they have been directed to restrict their activities to the official dumpsites in the city only,’’ he said.

He noted that many public utilities have been targeted for vandalism and robbery activities by Baban Bola operatives.

Hassan said that under the guise of scavenging from refuse bins in neighbourhood across the city, the scavengers have been involved in many criminal activities.

The secretary said the activities range from petty stealing to armed robbery, vandalism of public utilities, other forms of crime and criminality.

According to him, to put an end to this activity therefore, scavengers are to operate only at the Gousa, Karshi, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kwali, Abaji and Kuje approved dumpsite areas.

“This is as opposed to moving from one neighbourhood to another collecting waste objects across the city of Abuja.” (NAN)