FCTA to Prioritise Industrial Waste Recycling for Cleaner Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the FCTA is shifting attention to industrial waste recycling as part of efforts to build a cleaner, more sustainable capital city.
Wike spoke on Friday during an inspection tour of ongoing and completed infrastructure projects across the FCT. He said the traditional monthly environmental sanitation exercise, popularly known as “Sanitation Saturday,” was not enough to address the long-term waste management needs of a modern city.
According to him, while such exercises may produce temporary cleanliness, they do not solve the deeper challenge of waste accumulation.
“If you do it on a Saturday, that Saturday is clean,” Wike said. “But for me, that is not a very major issue. Having a dump site is not enough for you to say that the problem is solved.”
The minister stressed that waste management should be treated as an industrial necessity, not merely a routine sanitation activity. He said the FCTA’s goal is to move beyond refuse collection and landfill disposal to modern waste processing systems that can convert waste into useful products.
Wike disclosed that the administration is considering the establishment of specialised waste recycling factories in Abuja. He said the FCTA is already receiving and reviewing proposals from experts who have successfully implemented similar waste management systems in major cities around the world.
He explained that the plan is to turn Abuja’s waste into a resource, in line with global best practices and the administration’s vision for a cleaner and more environmentally responsible capital city.
During the inspection, Wike also gave updates on key infrastructure projects expected to be inaugurated during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third year in office.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the Judges’ residences, handled by Gilmor Engineering, describing the project as “beautiful” and “99 percent ready.” He also inspected the N5 road project, which he said is fully completed, as well as the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
Although the Court of Appeal project is about 90 percent complete, Wike directed the contractor to correct some observed errors before the facility is officially commissioned.
Reacting to criticisms over the executive’s involvement in building residences for judicial officers, Wike dismissed claims that such projects undermine judicial independence.
He argued that providing decent accommodation for judges does not amount to interference with the judiciary, but rather supports their ability to work effectively and independently.
“The mere fact that the executive constructs does not mean that that will lead to interference in the judiciary,” he said.
Wike also faulted the Nigerian Bar Association for criticising government-funded judicial infrastructure while, according to him, accepting government sponsorship for some of its activities and conferences.
The minister reaffirmed that the FCTA remains focused on delivering quality infrastructure and introducing innovative environmental solutions that will improve the lives of Abuja residents.
