…Says Non-Performers Will Lose Their Jobs, Payments Now Strictly on Merit
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Friday read the riot act to the 54 newly-engaged solid waste cleaning contractors in Abuja, warning that the era of excuses, negligence, and substandard service delivery was over.
Speaking during an interactive session with the contractors in Abuja, Wike made it clear that any contractor who fails to keep their assigned zone clean will have their contract terminated immediately. He stressed that the FCT Administration will only pay for work done—and done satisfactorily.
“This will not be business as usual,” Wike declared. “If we find refuse in your zone, your contract will be terminated. Nobody forced you to apply for this job. Since you took it, you must deliver.”
The Minister announced the immediate creation of a Waste Monitoring Task Force that will conduct unscheduled inspections across the city to assess the contractors’ performance. The findings, he said, will determine whether companies get paid or sanctioned.
Wike emphasized that contractors must work beyond normal hours, including weekends, and maintain a standby evacuation team to ensure prompt response to waste buildup. He directed the Procurement Department to verify the capacity of firms awarded more than one zone, warning that excuses such as broken-down equipment would no longer be tolerated.
“If you collected two sites, you must have the tools and manpower to service two sites,” he said. “We don’t want any part of Abuja left behind. Everywhere must be clean.”
On the contractors’ request for payment of eight months outstanding arrears, Wike confirmed that the administration would process the payments, but only for contractors who genuinely executed their duties during that period. He noted that some districts, including parts of Asokoro, were left unattended despite the existing contracts.
“There will be no favouritism,” he insisted. “Your job will speak for you. Payment is not a problem, but only those who worked will be paid.”
The Minister also urged residents to provide feedback on the performance of the contractors, assuring that public assessments would be considered in evaluating the firms.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Mr. Felix Obuah, disclosed that the 54 contractors were selected from over 500 applicants and have been issued letters of award for their designated beats.
Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Mr. Ibrahim Babayo thanked the Minister for the engagement and assured that the contractors would sit up, take the warnings seriously, and deliver a cleaner Federal Capital Territory.
With Wike’s stern directives, waste management in Abuja appears set for a major shake-up as the FCT targets a cleaner, more responsive sanitation system.
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