By Emmanuella Oghenetega
The Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), of the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA), has intervened in the critical areas of waste evacuation.
This is in compliance to the directive given by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking with journalists, during a waste evacuation exercise at the collection point on the Karu axis, the STDD Coordinator, Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, stated that the Minister had given a directive for the commencement of waste evacuation across the Nyanya axis down to Karshi.
“And we are hoping after that, we are still going to look at other area councils because our main function is to intervene in the critical areas in terms of waste evacuation in the Satellite Towns. And it is because of this, that we are here today.”
He expounded, that initially there has been contracts going on in the Satellite Towns Area Council for the duration of three years, awarded since 2022 and the contract elapsed this year in April.
“So, we are now carrying out another procurement process for the new award of contracts. The Minister has given the approval upon that and you see the procurement takes some little period of time before it comes to a final conclusion. And over the time, because of this gap that is in between, you know what we say, waste is a continuous generational act.
“So definitely the waste will be continually generated. And part of the measure that the Minister said that we should take, is to bridge the gap between the procurement process, and the award of new contracts that will come. And as you can see here, the waste evacuation is taking place, not under any contractor, but under the watch of the Satellite Towns Development Department, FCTA.
“Anything that we pack from here, we take it to the dump site. And at the same time, currently we are working on the dump site because we have tried and we have engaged some bulldozers and some heavy equipment to go there and clear waste so as to enable easy movement of the evacuation of the waste. And aside this place, we are moving down to Jikwoyi
“We are moving down to Kurudu. We are moving down to Girande Axis, Orozo, down to Karshi. We are clearing this area.
“And I think within today, tomorrow, everything will be cleared. There is this new joint task force.” He concluded.
Speaking on how the collection point can be better managed, the Coordinator said, “It would be very nice if this kind of place, in fact, if it can be totally removed, that would have gone a long way. But we are going to appeal to the Minister to look into that, in collaboration with the Area Councils.
“Because we are looking at the health aspect of the populace around the area. Because this is very, very hazardous. And so far, this is the only stage we can achieve.
“But if there are other alternatives, we can link it up with the Minister in collaboration with the Area Council. So as to enable us to have a smoother outcome over this matter.”
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