AEPB to reintroduce monthly sanitation, sanitary inspectors

In order to ensure a clean Abuja at all times, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has resolved to set new agenda for the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), including the re-introduction of monthly sanitation, and sanitary inspectors.
The chairman, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Dr Bawuro Bapetel Yahaya, who disclosed this recently while speaking to newsmen in his office, said the move was to help maintain Abuja’s cleanliness, improve its environment and boost the overall well-being of the residents.
“We do not want to see refuse dumped indiscriminately anywhere in the FCT. When the solid wastes are generated, we will sort them out into organic and non-organic and dispose them appropriately and in a very healthy manner,” he said.
Yahaya further revealed that the Administration was determined to evolve a lasting solution to waste management, including engaging in “separation of solid waste into organic and non-organic wastes so that organic waste could be used as manure,” which he said was the best form of fertiliser.
He also said the board was responsible for general cleaning of the FCT, including pollution control, environmental degradation control, as well as management of solid and liquid wastes among others.
He, however, decried some recreation centres and night clubs, among others, within residential areas that generates noise pollution.
“We want people to get the right decibels of noise and avoid polluting the environment and causing harm to others in their neighbourhoods.”
The chairman warned the residents against blocking drainages with refuse, noting that many people did not know that such practice was responsible for flooding, because water was forced to find its way on the roads, instead of flowing through the drainages.
“Most of these are the responsibilities of area councils and the chairmen of these councils who are all members of the Board; so we will work together to achieve our goal. We will ensure they plant trees, which will not only beautify the environment, but will also fight deforestation and operate in a symbiotic relationship with human beings.”
He added that though the laws were in place, the fines for offences were too little; even as he complained that N500 was too meagre to be charged for any offence because it would not serve as a deterrent.
Yahaya also called on those who burn tyre in inappropriate places in Abuja to desist from such unhealthy practices, even as he revealed that they would be relocated to places suitable for that trade.
He called on residents of the FCT to support the Board in its bid to make Abuja a cleaner and more environmentally friendly city, disclosing the Board’s plan to institute a price-based award system for the most clean market, area council and sector, to encourage greater citizen participation in keeping the FCT clean.

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