The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja, once a symbol of Nigeria’s grandeur, has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self.
The FCT, headed by Minister Nyesom Wike, is grappling with a severe sanitation crisis, with heaps of refuse scattered across major roads and neighborhoods.
Residents of Gwarinpa Estate, one of the largest residential estates in Africa, are particularly affected, with dilapidated roads and overflowing refuse dumps making life unbearable.
The State of Infrastructure
– Roads: The roads in Gwarinpa Estate have become potholed and crumbling, making it difficult for residents to navigate.
Refuse Collection: Waste management has been inefficient, with bins overflowing and trash piling up for weeks.
Health Risks: The situation poses significant health risks, including the spread of diseases like cholera, typhoid, and malaria.
Residents’ Lamentations
A resident of the estate, Mr. Yusuf Alhasan told _Standard Daily Press_ that the health challenged Minister Wike who’s allegedly undergoing medical treatment in the the United Kingdom has abandoned the nation’s Federal capital city to decay while in foreign land.
“For the past two weeks, nobody has come to collect refuse in my area. The waste bins are overflowing, and people now dump trash by the roadside. We can’t even breathe properly because of the stench,” said Mr. John Akpan, a resident of Kubwa.
“It’s shameful that the nation’s capital is being swallowed by filth. Everywhere you turn, you see heaps of garbage,” lamented Mrs. Rafat Yusuf, a trader in Wuse Market.
Government Response
The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has attributed the crisis to “logistic and operational challenges” and promised to restore regular waste collection. However, residents remain skeptical, calling for accountability, immediate intervention and removal of the health challenged Minister Wike from office.
