Foundation hails Wike over fresh push to tackle waste crisis

A non-governmental organisation, Crux Environmental Right, Advocacy and Development Foundation, (CERADF) has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for what it described as decisive steps to curb environmental degradation and poor waste management in Abuja.

The foundation gave the commendation following the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) move to provide dedicated telephone lines for residents to report cases of uncleared refuse across the territory.

In a statement on Monday jointly signed by its, Country Director, Mercy Julius Iviakpellas and Director of Communications, Eswati Luka Ikpi, Crux said the initiative demonstrated the Wike-led administration’s commitment to environmental sanitation, accountability and citizen participation in governance.

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“The decision to open direct communication channels for residents to report waste management failures is a practical and people-centred approach to tackling the refuse menace in the FCT,” the group said, urging residents to take advantage of the platform to keep their environment clean.

The FCTA had earlier announced four telephone numbers for reporting waste issues as part of efforts to compel waste management contractors to carry out their duties effectively.

In a brief statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, urged residents to send pictures and videos of uncleared refuse via WhatsApp, clearly stating the location to enable authorities identify defaulting contractors.

According to Olayinka, the initiative is aimed at addressing the growing waste problem in the nation’s capital and strengthening oversight of contractors responsible for refuse evacuation.

Crux Environmental Right, Advocacy and Development Foundation called on the FCTA to sustain the momentum and ensure strict sanctions for contractors who fail to meet agreed standards, noting that a cleaner Abuja is critical to public health and the image of the capital city.