Metro
Reps Order Probe Into Abuja Waste Crisis, Broken Streetlights
By Saint Mugaga
The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the persistent waste management crisis and the chronic malfunctioning of streetlights across the FCT.
Lawmakers on Thursday at plenary expressed deep concern over the worsening state of environmental sanitation in Abuja, warning that the Federal Capital Territory is fast descending into a public health and security emergency.
Moving a motion on the floor of the House, Rep. Umar Ajilo member representing Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, painted a grim picture of the nation’s capital, citing the indiscriminate dumping of refuse, blocked drainage systems, piles of solid waste littering public spaces, and widespread darkness caused by non-functional streetlights.
“The combined effect of multiple waste, blockage of drainage and sewage systems, and pervasive darkness from the faulty streetlights is creating a dual crisis.
“It is transforming the nation’s capital from a modern city into a zone of public health emergency and security vulnerabilities”, Ajilo said.
The lawmaker described the situation as alarming, stressing the grave health implications for residents.
“These unsanitary conditions have become breeding grounds for disease vectors such as mosquitoes and rats, leading to increased outbreaks of malaria, typhoid, cholera, and Lassa fever.
“They are contaminating air and water sources, causing significant risks of illness and airborne diseases, and placing enormous strain on the health and well-being of millions of residents—particularly women, children, and the elderlyr,” he warned.
Ajilo also drew attention to the security risks posed by non-functional streetlights, which he said have created “a conducive environment for criminal activities such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and vandalism,”, he added that many roads and pedestrian walkways have become dangerous at night, leading to increased accidents and fatalities.
Leading the debate, Rep. Ahmad Jaha urged the House to empower the newly constituted adhoc committee to deal decisively with the crisis, describing the situation during the rainy season as appalling.
“Mr. Speaker, you are a living witness and we are all living witnesses, especially during the rainy season. If you see the kind of pump-up caused by blockages of drainages in Abuja, you will be shocked,” he said.
He nonetheless defended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, praising his performance.
He stressed, however, that while infrastructure provision was important, its management remained “very, very critical” to the city’s future.
“The minister is working—take it or leave it, hate him or like him, Wike is the best minister of FCT we have ever seen,” Jaha declared.
Rep. Sada Soli, member representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency of Katsina State, speaking as a “member of the State Assembly of the FCT,” took a harsher tone, insisting the capital had degenerated into filth.
“We must not abdicate our responsibility over the affairs of the FCT. The fact is we are residents of the FCT. The city is filthy. It endangers the health condition of residents and visitors,” he warned.
Rep. Soli criticised those responsible for sanitation for failing to act, lamenting that “the cleaners that used to go around the city are off the streets.”
He urged his colleagues to “go to Gwarimpa or Asokoro and see the litter everywhere,” adding that the situation “does not signify the importance of the city.”
He also cautioned that unchecked refuse piles and blocked drains were increasing the risk of “airborne and waterborne diseases” and could further strain Abuja’s health system.
However, House Leader Rep. Julius Ihonvbere disagreed with what he described as “exaggerations,” calling for a more balanced assessment of the situation.
“I accept the need to clean up the city and get citizens to be more responsible. But my brother has taken the licence of exaggeration too far. Nobody can say the FCT is filthy. I live here—we know how this place was five or ten years ago, and we know how it is todaye,” he said.
He urged colleagues to recognise ongoing efforts by the authorities, adding that constructive recommendations, not condemnation, were needed.
“The starting point is to acknowledge and commend efforts that have been made, then make additional suggestions on how to improve what is on the ground,” he argued.
The motion eventually received broad support after further deliberations, with members agreeing on the need for urgent action to restore Abuja’s cleanliness and ensure proper management of its infrastructure.
An ad-hoc committee is to investigate the causes of poor sanitation and the widespread failure of streetlights across the FCT, with findings expected within four weeks.
Wumi Tewogbade,Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, at the weekend, launched a grassroots social mobilisation exercise to promote birth registration in the FCT.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, launched the programme in Abuja,.
She said birth registration is aimed to address the low level of birth registration, especially children that are born outside the health center in the rural areas.
The exercise, is in collaboration with UNICEF Nigeria, Nigeria Population Commission (NPC), Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and National Orientation Agency (NOA), .
The Mandate Secretary who was
represented by Director, Child Development Department, Dr Idris Yahaya Attah, emphasised the importance of birth registration.
The Mandate Secretary said, the initiative, was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to ensure every child is registered and documented, paving way for a brighter future.
“A lot of children are born outside hospitals and in remote communities. These children need to be properly captured and documented as citizens of the FCT and Nigeria”, She said.
Benjamins-Laniyi stressed that accurate data is crucial for planning and development, urging Abaji communities to cooperate with the FCT Administration to ensure they benefit from democratic dividends. UNICEF Nigeria, represented by Mrs Phydelia Abbas, is supporting this initiative.
The exercise, which began on March 26, will cover all Area Councils, with the following schedule:
- Abaji – March 26, 2026 (completed)
- Bwari – March 30, 2026
- Kwali – April 8, 2026
- Gwagwalada- April 9, 2026
- Kuje- April 10, 2026
- AMAC – April 13, 2026
The registration is free for children aged 0-1 year and 1-5 years. .
….as treatment success rates 94%
By Wumi Tewogbade,Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) revealed at the weekend that Abuja has over 16,000 annual burden of Tuberculosis (TB) cases.
FCT Director Public Health, Dr Dan Gasama , stated this at the community outreach in commemoration of 2026 World Tuberculosis Day, organized by the Federal Capital Territory Health Services and Environment Secretariat (FCT-HSES), Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP),and other partners, in Abuja.
Gasama added that, the treatment success rate for Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria is now 94 percent when detected early.
The theme for 2026 celebrations ‘Yes, we can. We can end TB’.
People trooped out in their hundreds from Mabushi community and they were screened and tested for TB, Malaria, etc, and people were given free medications for malaria and some other minor ailments, some were refered to bigger hospitals.
Gasama said, TB remain one of the world’s oldest infectious diseases, and a public health concern globally and nationally, despite being preventable and curable, it continues to claim lives and disrupt families and communities.
He noted, “An estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB in 2014, with1.23 million deaths including 150,000 deaths among people with HIV.
“With prevalence of 219/100,000, Nigeria remain one of the countries with high TB burden , and FCT also has estimated annual burden of 16,000 cases.
“The country notified over 467,000in 2025 , the highest ever in our history. Treatment success rate have reached an impressive 94%, demonstrating that when TB is detected early and treated properly, it can be cured .
Additionally TB mortality has been reduced by 63% between 2015 -2024″, Dr. Dan said.
He said in FCT in 2025, FCT-TBLCP recorded it highest achievement to date, over 40,171 presumptive TB clients were identified and screened while 3,679 TB cases were notified the highest in history.
He noted that one of the unique commemorations of this year is the dedication to high-burden communities, where they take the message to their doorsteps.
The in her goodwill message, Dr. Jenny Momoh, who represented Dr. Jibrin Alkasim, the FCT state coordinator for World Health Organisation (WHO), said reiterated the commitment of the world body to eradicating TB completely. Which according to her is visible when countries, communities, and partners unite with purpose and determination.
WHO commended all the health workers and partners for their determination, supports and commitment, that has helped to save lives.
“Despite the challenges, we have seen remarkable advances in diagnostics, treatment options, digital tools, and community‑centered care. Yet millions still face barriers to timely diagnosis and quality treatment. This is why our collective action remains essential. Ending TB requires sustained investment, innovation, and a strong multisectoral response that leaves no one behind”, she noted .
Teresa Jatau, who spoke on behalf of National Coordinator TB network, in her goodwill message said, she is very happy with the turnout of people for the programme.
She reiterated the need for all hands to be on desk in order to completely eradicate TB on Nigeria.
She also remind Nigerians that TB affect children as well, “By collectively working together and collectively amplifying the voices of the community, amplifying the voices of even children. Oftentimes we have conversations about TB, but we neglect the children. But here, we should be reminded that children too are often affected by TB. And so they should be at the center of our conversation”.
She said TB network is committed to continue to do the work at the community level to ensure that everyone gets the information, the correct information, knows where to go to and seek care in case they are tested positive.
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has reiterated its commitment in ensuring justice and rights of Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) in Abuja.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi stated this during the Celebration of IWD 2026 with 250 Persons living With Disabilities ( PWDs) at the Bamishe Community in Kuje Area Council.
She said, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
through The Renewed Hope Initiative Programme is particular about not leaving anyone behind; and hence the Theme of International Women’s Day 2026; Justice. Rights & Action for all women and girls, is very timely.
Benjamins-Laniyi, who was represented by Head, Women Affairs Department, Mrs Aina Sanni said, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat has concluded arrangement to initiating a pioneer community intervention collecting & collating the data of Women and Girls with disabilities so in order to enhance the administration’s engagement with Vulnerable Groups.
According to her, ” There’s ability in Disability. All it takes it the right tools and empowerment and political will. We have so many of you that are graduates because you had access to Braille, Sign language, mobility and other devices that made it easy for you to feel empowered”.
She continued that those who are educated amongst them can empower others who are not by ensuring that they learn a skill.
She added that with the achievement of The PWDs Community, it obvious that there’s ability in Disability for those ready to explore.
Ms. Justina Janet Agesepa, a person with vision impairment praised The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on the ongoing Road infrastructure.
She said this is what is needed because most of the PWDs live in areas where it is difficult for them to be reached due to lack of access Road.
Ms Agesepa said They also need employment for the Graduates in their midst and empowerment for the Women.
Speaking in Hausa, Mallam Luka Kura from Cheta said the Challenge they faced is lack of Access Road and Borehole.He said the Water they are drinking is not hygienic and called on the Government to remember them.
At the end of the program, packs of Foodstuff, Rice and Garri were distributed amongst the participants who thanked the FCT Administration for reaching out to them.
Some of the Participants came all the way from the newly discovered Cheta Disability Community as beneficiaries of the WAS IWD program designed to spotlight, encourage and inspire Women & Girls Living With Disabilities in The Federal Capital Territory Administration
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