The Satellite Town Development Department (STDD) has ramped up its ongoing waste evacuation and environmental sanitation exercise across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in line with a directive from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The clean-up operation, which began on April 19, 2026, is currently active in Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Abaji, with sanitation teams working daily to clear refuse and improve environmental conditions in satellite communities.
Coordinator of the STDD, Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, who led an inspection tour of the exercise, said the initiative reflects the FCT Administration’s commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and habitable environment, especially as the rainy season begins.
He noted that the Minister had given a clear directive that satellite towns must not be neglected in the sanitation drive, stressing that evacuation trucks and personnel have remained on ground since the exercise commenced.
Zulkiflu used the opportunity to caution residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse, particularly on road medians, in drainages, and other unauthorized locations.
According to him, improper waste disposal poses serious health and environmental risks, including flooding and outbreaks of diseases such as cholera.
He urged residents to properly bag their waste and dispose of it only at designated collection points to ensure easy access for evacuation teams.
The STDD Coordinator further emphasized that blocked drainages caused by waste dumping often lead to flash floods during the rainy season, worsening public health concerns.
Reaffirming the commitment of the FCT Administration, he stated that efforts are ongoing to prevent environmental hazards and safeguard public health, but stressed that success depends on collective responsibility.
He called on residents to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings, clear blocked gutters, and adopt proper waste management practices.
Zulkiflu added that the clean-up exercise will continue across all six Area Councils—Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali—as part of sustained efforts to promote a healthier environment in the FCT.
He reiterated that cleanliness remains essential to public health, urging residents to support government efforts by keeping their environment clean and free of waste.