Residents want prompt release of fund for waste management

Some Abuja residents on Thursday appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT) Administration for prompt release of fund to its relevant agencies to improve waste management in the territory.

The residents made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to them, the prompt release of budgetary allocation will enhance evacuation of waste.

Mr Fidelis Obi, a resident of Kubwa in FCT, said that public opinion had indicated that inadequate funding was responsible for the non-evacuation of waste in the territory.

Obi said the budget for waste management should be prepared, presented and released on time so that the planned activities could be carried out as scheduled.

Mrs Grace Owolabi, a resident of Mpape area of the territory, said that waste management agencies should be well-funded to enable them acquire relevant equipment to ensure prompt waste evacuation.

Owolabi said that prompt release of fund would also assist the relevant agencies of the administration in purchasing equipment for waste recycling.

“There is need to promote recycle centres and villages in the FCT Administration and encourage young entrepreneurs to start recycling venture.

“Government at all levels should give logistic support and tax holidays to well-established waste recycling centres and villages, to enhance their growth.

Some of the existing scavengers and cart pushers in the informal sector may be drawn into such scheme,’’ she said.

Mr Nuhu Idris of Karmo area of the FCT, called on government and relevant stakeholders to develop, encourage and promote local technologies for waste collection.

Idris urged the FCT Administration to introduce appropriate and durable waste evacuation-technologies in the territory.