By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
FCT Minister Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has issued a stern warning to waste management contractors in the Federal Capital Territory: fail to maintain high sanitation standards and your pay and contract will be at risk. Speaking at an interactive meeting with 54 newly awarded contractors, the Minister emphasized that payments will be strictly performance-based, leaving no room for excuses or favoritism.
Addressing the contractors, Barr. Wike highlighted the critical role of effective waste management in the capital city and announced the immediate formation of a Task Force to monitor operations.
In a statement signed by Rabi Musa Umar, Assistant Director, Press Office to the Minister, he urged contractors to take full responsibility for their assigned zones. “Management of waste is a very difficult job. See it as your assignment for the development of our capital city. Do the job as required and do it very well,” he said.
The Minister warned that failure to service assigned zones would result in contract termination. “This will not be business as usual. You must work during weekends and have special teams to evacuate waste. If you are allocated more than one site, we will not accept excuses related to bad equipment,” he added.
Barr. Wike also called on residents to provide feedback on contractors’ performance, noting that public input would influence payment decisions. He addressed appeals for eight months of arrears, stressing that payments would be processed strictly on merit, particularly in areas where service had previously been inconsistent, such as parts of Asokoro.
The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council Coordinator, Mr. Felix Obuah, confirmed that the 54 contractors were selected from over 500 applicants and have been issued letters of award for assigned operational beats across the FCT.
Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Mr. Ibrahim Babayo pledged commitment to maintaining a clean city and assured that colleagues would heed the Minister’s directives.
Barr. Wike concluded by emphasizing accountability and professionalism, stating that only results would determine rewards. “We want everywhere to be clean. Your job is what will speak for you,” he said, signaling the end of leniency in FCT waste management.
