By Ayoni M. Agbabiaka
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Mohammed Musa Bello, has warned staff of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) to be up and doing in the discharge of their duties.
The minister noted, with dismay, the poor state of sanitation in the Federal Capital City and its environs and directed the staff of the Board to move out to the fields to ensure that the city was cleaned up.
The Minister, who gave the warning when he paid an unscheduled visit to the headquarters of the Board on Tuesday, stressed that his Administration would not condone indolence.
He directed that Advocacy Committees be set up to reach out to all stakeholders such as traditional rulers, community heads, Imams and Priests in order to elicit their support.
“Let the stakeholders know that cleanliness is next to Godliness and cleanliness is not the responsibility of the government alone,” he said.
According to him, cleanliness is a priority of this Administration and, therefore, called for community participation to ensure a successful campaign.
“You must do more because all eyes are on us and we cannot afford to fail the nation.”
The Minister also warned that erring staff would face sanctions for not adhering to this directive “because the federal government considers Abuja as an international city,” and reiterated that “cleanliness of Abuja city can only be achieved and sustained by the doggedness of the experts and managers in the AEPB.”
“Everybody have to sit up because we will not shy away from sanctioning any erring staff within the existing laws and regulations.”
He announced that he would soon visit all the dumpsites and the sewer treatment plants in the Territory to assess such facilities physically to ensure that no excuse would be given for failure.
The minister was accompanied by FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, and some senior aides of the Minister.