Abuja: Residents of the Quarters Area in Kuje have sounded the alarm over deteriorating waste management conditions in their neighbourhood, urging the FCT Administration to intervene urgently.
In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, residents highlighted that the persistent waste problem poses growing health and security risks.
NAN reports that the dumpsite is located within the residential area of Kuje, by the abandoned Stadium project, adjacent to a private hospital, a few meters from the Federal Road Safety Corps office, the General Hospital, and other vital facilities.
Silas Ojigbe, a resident of Kayarda, said: ”I usually come here to throw waste, and it has been a concern for me, because when I come to drop those things here, I will need to go inside.”
Ojigbe explained that the refuse had remained unattended for a long period, leaving residents confused about why authorities had failed to evacuate it.
According to him, you can clearly see that there is a company tractor supposed to be in charge of waste disposal, but nothing is being done.
“Sometimes you see scavengers (Baban bola) setting fire to the refuse, and the smoke from the fire pollutes the whole area,’’ he said.
Sani Haruna, an athlete who trains at the stadium, said the stench and smoke from the dumpsite have become daily challenges for users.
“The stench from the waste is affecting us seriously; we inhale smoke,” he said.
He said repeated complaints by athletes and residents have seen little response.
“So many times we have reported to the local authorities, and they promise to do something, but nothing is being done.
“As it stands now, we feel helpless. We urgently await the next area council administration, set to resume by April, with hopes for immediate and decisive action,” he said.
Mr James Emmanuel, manager of a nearby hotel, reported that the waste stench has hurt their business.
“Sometimes people come here in the evening for relaxation. They can’t stay now due to the smoke, and we have tried everything we can, yet there has been no positive response.
“You cannot blame customers for not coming again because if I go to a place and if the place is not conducive, I will not come again,’’ he said.
Emmanuel said that although the site was allocated for waste years back, it was due for relocation since the residential area has developed. “The area is developed with a stadium, school, hotel, and hospital nearby.
We appeal to the relevant authorities to address this,” he said. Mr Suleiman Olorundare recounted a recent fire incident at the dumpsite that occurred at night. ig“Two weeks ago, fire was set to the refuse, and community members had to put it out.
“The smoke from the burning of the refuse actually affected us, especially me, because I couldn’t sleep almost the whole night. Abdulrasheed Dada, head of local scavengers, linked the issue to alleged non-payment of contractors. job.
He said scavengers devised a way to remove materials they considered valuable before burning the remaining refuse to reduce waste volume.
Joseph, last name withheld, another resident, said the dumpsite has now become an urgent and escalating health and security crisis.
“A few days ago, the waste was set on fire, and we have a six-month-old baby, and the whole house was full of fumes, and this is not just normal smoke, it is thick, dirty fumes, toxic fumes.”
Joseph said the situation was particularly worrisome because medical waste from a nearby health facility was sometimes dumped there.
“The General Hospital’s wastes are dumped here, the whole dirt from the market, every rubbish is brought here, and this is a residential place. Beyond health risks, he observed that the site now attracts suspected criminals and drug users.
“It has become a safe haven for scavengers and everything, and you can see the whole place has become like a mini ‘pantaker’ or ‘bola’ area.
“It attracts smokers, drug addicts and all kinds of people, and the stadium now is even becoming a safe haven for them.”
He called on authorities to urgently intervene before the situation spirals out of control and endangers the entire community.
“With all the praises we are hearing about the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, building bridges and roads, this situation in Kuje should not spoil it, and I think he needs to know of this,’’ he said.