AEPB ordered to clean up Abuja now 

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Abuja Environmental protection Board has received an ultimatum from the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) to swiftly clean up Abuja.

The Coordinator of the Council, Chief Felix Obua, gave the ultimatum after an emergency meeting with management of the board and contractors handling refuse evacuation in Abuja, on Monday.

The meeting was held after the coordinator inspected the state of refuse evacuation in Asokoro, Maitama District and other environs with the FCC.

Obuah expressed disappointment with the slow pace of work to refuse evacuation in the district, noting that the nation’s capital should be a model city for cleanliness across Nigeria.

He, thereafter, directed the Director of AEPB, Mr. Osi Braimah to ensure that Asokoro was thoroughly cleaned within 48 hours.

He added that the efforts should be extended to other major districts, including Guzape, Maitama, Central Business District, Wuse, and other areas within the Abuja metropolis.

He also directed the director to immediately recall casual workers to accelerate the evacuation of refuse across the city.

“I am tired of receiving calls from residents complaining of how dirty the city has become.

“Today I was forced to go round major areas of the city to assess the state of refuse collection and what I saw was an eyesore.

“I realised that the contractors engaged to clean the city are no longer doing their jobs and AEPB must do something about it,” he said.

He advised the companies to also within 48 hours, clean up their act, or face the wrath of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whom he said, was already displeased with the situation.

The coordinator pointed out that the beauty of any city largely depended on its cleanliness.

According to him, Abuja should not only be clean but should also set the benchmark for other cities in the country to follow.

Responding, the AEPB Director, Braimah assured the coordinator that the board would do as directed.