Kuje complies with FCTA directive on waste evacuation

The Kuje Area Council has complied with the one week ultimatum given by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for the evacuation of heaps of waste in the area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the FCT Permanant Secretary, Mr John Chukwu, had on Sept. 7, directed the six area councils in FCT to evacuate all refuse dumps in their localities within seven days or face sanctions.
When NAN went round the town to monitor some refuse dump sites, some Kuje Area Council Environment Department workers were seen evacuating refuse.
Mr Abdulkarim Abdulrazaq, the Head of the department, told NAN that the heaps of refuse surfaced in the area due to the lack of funds to evacuate them.
“There is no way we can evacuate waste without funds, but I am assuring you that we will try our possible best to see that the environment is kept clean always.
“The evacuation will now be a continuous exercise in the area council, if the funds are available.’’
The official, however, urged residents of the area to stop the improper dumping of refuse by the road sides and drains, to prevent flooding.
He attributed the growing heaps of waste in some communities in the council to improper disposal and negligence by some residents.
“Despite the department’s efforts at keeping the environment clean, some people have failed to comply with sanitation rules and regulations.
“The council is also trying its best in terms of creating awareness on proper waste disposal but some residents have refused to do the right thing,” Abdulrasaq said.
He further explained that mobile courts sitting in Kuje had convicted 20 sanitation laws violators in the area.
Abdulrazaq said that maintaining good hygiene should be a matter of necessity and should be observed daily in every home for healthy living.
He warned against open defecation and urged house owners to provide toilets in their premises.
He added that a clean environment would prevent infectious diseases. (NAN)