Reps probe waste management crisis, non-functional streetlights in FCT

The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to commence a comprehensive probe into the growing waste-management crisis and non-functional streetlights across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, amid concerns that the situation has turned the city into a public health and security emergency zone. This followed the adoption of a […]

The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to commence a comprehensive probe into the growing waste-management crisis and non-functional streetlights across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, amid concerns that the situation has turned the city into a public health and security emergency zone.

This followed the adoption of a motion on matters of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Umar Shehu Ajilo during Thursday’s plenary.

Presenting the motion, Ajilo lamented the alarming state of environmental sanitation in Abuja, characterised by indiscriminate refuse dumping, blocked drainage systems, and non-functional streetlights across major roads, inner streets, and public spaces.

He warned that the combined effects of waste accumulation and pervasive darkness due to non-functional streetlights were creating a “dual crisis” that threatened both public health and security in the nation’s capital.

“These unsanitary conditions are breeding disease vectors such as mosquitoes and rats, leading to the increased outbreaks of malaria, typhoid, cholera, and Lassa fever. They also contaminate air and water sources, endangering the lives of residents, especially women, children, and the elderly,” Ajilo stated.

He added that the absence of functional streetlights across the city had worsened insecurity, providing cover for armed robbery, kidnapping, vandalism, and road accidents.

“The security and safety implications are grave. Darkness across major highways and streets makes residents and road users vulnerable, turning public spaces into unsafe zones at night,” he said.

Contributing to the motion, Hon. Ahmed Jahar Babawo commended the initiative, stressing that the FCT’s infrastructural management had become critical, particularly during the rainy season when blocked drainages cause gridlocks across the city.

“The minister is working, take it or leave it, [Nyesom] Wike is the best FCT minister we’ve ever seen. But the truth is that management of infrastructure is different from the provision of infrastructure. This report will draw attention to the urgent need to focus on maintenance,” Babawo said.