The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed solid waste management contractors in the territory to immediately improve the standard of sanitation across the Federal Capital City (FCC).

Wike warned that any contractor found failing in their responsibilities risks having their contract revoked.

He gave the directive in Abuja on Friday during an interactive meeting with the 54 contractors recently engaged to handle waste cleaning services in the FCC.

Addressing the gathering, the minister stressed the vital role of efficient waste management in maintaining the cleanliness and image of the FCT.

He announced the immediate establishment of a Task Force to closely monitor the activities of the contractors, noting that subsequent payments would depend strictly on satisfactory performance.

Wike said, “Management of waste is a very difficult job. So, I want to plead with you to see that you are carrying out an assignment for the development of our capital city.

“So please help us to keep the city clean. It’s a job that you applied for; nobody forced you. I assure you that your payment is not a problem. Do the job as required and do it very well. There will be no favouritism. Your job is what will speak for you, and you must get the job done”, the Minister stressed.

He warned that he will not hesitate to terminate the contract of any cleaning company if refuse is sighted in their allocated zone.

“This will not be business as usual. You must work during the weekend and have a special team to evacuate waste”, Wike directed.

He further mandated the Director of Procurement to carry out immediate checks to ascertain the capacity of companies allocated more than one operational site, stating that excuses related to bad equipment would no longer be accepted.

“Those who are given more than one slot, we have to know what capacity they have. If you are allocated two sites, we will not accept excuses for bad equipment. You cannot go and apply for jobs in two areas when you don’t have the capacity to deliver. We don’t want any area to be left behind. We want everywhere to be clean”, he stated.

Wike further urged residents to also provide feedback to the government on the contractors’ performance, assuring residents that their feedback matters in ensuring payments.

Responding to an appeal by the contractors for the payment of outstanding eight months’ arrears, the minister observed that some areas, particularly parts of Asokoro, were not serviced by the contractors for periods in the past.

He said the outstanding eight-month payments would be processed, but clarified that the payment would be done strictly on merit.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Mr. Felix Obuah, confirmed that 54 successful contractors were selected from over 500 applicants, adding that the companies have been duly issued letters of award and assigned different beats across the FCT.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Mr. Ibrahim Babayo, thanked the Minister for the audience and urged his colleagues to heed the warnings, while also pledging the contractors’ commitment to ensuring a clean FCT.

Recall the FCT Executive Committee meeting chaired by Wike last Friday approved the sum of N111,913,176 (One Hundred and Eleven Million, Nine Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-Six Naira) for the execution of the contract.

Coordinator STDD, Hon Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, who disclosed this, said the Committee ratified the payment of a contract for the provision of emergency evacuation of waste from open dumps collection points, waterways, and streams in the Dogon Gada community in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

The new waste management regime will commence from Monday, November 17, 2025. (The Nation)