The Federal Capital Territory Administration on Friday, launched a new waste management regime with a warning to solid waste contractors that non-performance will now attract instant sanctions, including termination and withheld payments.
Speaking at an interactive meeting with the contractors who were recently awarded waste cleaning contracts in the FCC, the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, said the administration would no longer tolerate the inefficiency, excuses and political protection that have undermined sanitation in the past.
He declared that the FCT must reflect the status of a national capital seven days a week. “If there’s one area where we’ve had problem, it has to do with the management of waste, and the insincerity of contractors.
“When we came on board in August 2023, I found out that so many of the contractors don’t have any capacity for waste management. Of course, in our system, anything goes.”
Consequently, the minister therefore announced the immediate establishment of a taskforce to verify waste zones, monitor daily operations, and inspect the capacity of firm, especially those allocated more than one site.
He said Abuja will no longer allow companies to hide behind security agencies or procurement loopholes to avoid penalties, stressing that major corridors such as Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse 2 and the airport axis must remain spotless, warning that lapses in those districts will trigger immediate contract revocation.
In his words, “If you are company is Oscar, know that as I go to work and I see refuse, I will terminate the work immediately. I will terminate the contract. If you like say, oh, due process was not followed. We, will remember that you have not done your job and then you want us to pay.”
Wike directed contractors to operate throughout the week, saying Abuja will no longer tolerate refuse sitting on streets during weekends.
“There’s nothing like Saturday or Sunday. You must have a special team that have to remove refuse both Saturday and Sunday.”
He added that broken-down equipment will no longer be accepted as an excuse, insisting that companies that applied for multiple zones must demonstrate the capacity, personnel and functional trucks to manage them.
“If you say we were trying to fix our equipment that means it is a failure and we will not suffer because your equipment or other vehicles are broken down. Part of the capacity is that you have the equipment and personal to do the work.”
“Management of waste is a very difficult job. So, I want to plead with you to see it that you are carrying out an assignment for the development of our capital city.
“So please help us to keep the city clean. It’s a job that you applied for, nobody forced you. I assure you that your payment is not a problem. Do the job as required and do it very well. There will be no favouritism. Your job is what will speak for you and you must get the job done”, the Minister stressed.
He urged residents to report unserviced areas, saying public feedback will determine payments under the new regime. He also cautioned contractors against relying on political contacts or security agencies to shield them.
“Nothing like contact. Nothing like I know the person who knows him. The only person who knows me is the person who wants to do the job and do it very well. If you like let us be twins, it’s not my business,” he said.
While assuring that outstanding arrears will be processed, the Minister maintained that future payments will be strictly merit-based.
Earlier, AMMC Coordinator Felix Obuah said the 54 contractors were selected from more than 500 applicants and have been assigned various zones across the city.
Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Ibrahim Babayo thanked the Minister for the interface and pledged that the contractors would comply with the new directives and deliver a cleaner Abuja.
