A wave of discontent has hit the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as cleaners and waste contractors under the Association of FCT Solid Waste and Cleaning Contractors (AFSOWAC) begin an indefinite strike over nine months of unpaid wages.
The strike, which started recently, has already led to visible piles of refuse across major parts of Abuja, raising serious health and environmental concerns.
According to reports, the contractors—who manage sanitation across 44 operational lots within the FCT—employ over 3,000 workers and operate more than 100 refuse trucks and 60 tippers. The group said they have been sustaining operations through loans and personal sacrifices but can no longer continue without payment.
“We’ve reached our breaking point. Many of our workers have not received a single payment for nine months, yet we’ve kept Abuja clean,” an AFSOWAC representative lamented.
The cleaners accuse the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the FCT Administration of failing to meet their contractual obligations despite several appeals and reminders.
They also demand a review of the payment structure, citing the impact of fuel subsidy removal, inflation, and naira depreciation on operational costs.
The strike has sparked growing frustration among residents, with heaps of waste now seen in areas like Wuse, Garki, Maitama, and Nyanya, posing potential public health risks.
As Abuja grapples with the sanitation breakdown, many are urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to intervene swiftly to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy.
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