Refuse heaps pile up in FCT council

Residents of Gwagwalada Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed concern over the growing heaps of refuse across major streets and highways in the area. Some residents who spoke with Abuja Metro on Monday warned that the continued accumulation of waste, without evacuation by relevant authorities, could pose serious health risks. A […]

Residents of Gwagwalada Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed concern over the growing heaps of refuse across major streets and highways in the area.

Some residents who spoke with Abuja Metro on Monday warned that the continued accumulation of waste, without evacuation by relevant authorities, could pose serious health risks.

A resident, Benjamin Yakubu, said several refuse dumps within the metropolis had not been cleared for over four months.

According to him, the situation has worsened to the point where some streets and sections of major highways are being taken over by waste.

He identified some of the worst-hit areas as behind the mini campus of the University of Abuja, Customs Command College, Wazobia Motor Park, Tipper Garage, the pedestrian bridge opposite Zaria-Kano Park, Kuje Junction, as well as the Gwako and Tungan Maje–Zuba expressway.

“In fact, just take your time and go round these places to see how heaps of refuse have continued to pile up and almost taken over some streets and highways,” he said.

Another resident, Ibrahim Adamu, decried the offensive odour emanating from the refuse, especially during rainfall. He said pedestrians are often forced to cover their noses while passing through affected areas.

“Along Wazobia Park, you can hardly pass without covering your nose because of the stench coming from the refuse dumped near the bridge,” he said.

Mrs Patience Chizoba, who operates a hairdressing salon in Phase II, said the situation is affecting her business.

“My customers hardly stay up to five minutes because of the bad odour from the refuse near my shop. Sometimes, I have to pay wheelbarrow pushers to clear some of it just to attract customers,” she said.

An environmental expert, Mr Felix Abraham, attributed the situation to rapid population growth and indiscriminate waste disposal by residents.

He warned that the continued accumulation of refuse poses serious health hazards and criticised the council for not prioritising environmental sanitation.

“At least, since the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has improved infrastructure in the city, area councils should also take responsibility for proper waste evacuation,” he said.

Abraham also expressed concern over the dumping of refuse in drainage channels, warning that it could lead to flooding and property damage.

Responding, an official in the council’s Department of Environmental Sanitation, Yakubu Hussaini, said efforts were ongoing to address the situation.

He, however, blamed the growing population and indiscriminate dumping of refuse by residents.

Hussaini noted that waste bins were provided across the metropolis last year, but many residents still dispose of refuse improperly.

“When you evacuate refuse in the morning, by evening new heaps have already formed. This shows how population growth is contributing to the problem,” he said.

He added that although the responsibility for waste evacuation lies with the FCT Administration, the council is making efforts to keep Gwagwalada clean.