Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have appealed to the government to reintroduce monthly sanitation exercises to address poor hygiene, waste management challenges, and environmental pollution in the city.
The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that if the sanitation exercise is properly enforced, it will improve public health and promote cleaner surroundings. They argued that many people had already been used to the routine before it was suspended, and that bringing it back would help residents take ownership of their environment.
The monthly sanitation exercise was first introduced nationwide in 1984 during the military regime of Major General Muhammadu Buhari. It was part of the “War Against Indiscipline” decree, which restricted movements for three hours on the last Saturday of every month, to allow Nigerians to clean their environment. The culture of collective sanitation was widely adopted across states and lasted for decades, though participation later declined.
In 2023, the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, announced plans to reintroduce monthly sanitation as part of his administration’s strategy to keep Abuja clean. He explained that he had briefed President Bola Tinubu on the plan to dedicate two Saturdays every month from 7 am to 10 am for the exercise. According to him, the move would help the FCT administration and private companies evacuate refuse from markets and public places more effectively.
However, two years after the announcement, the programme has yet to take effect. This has left many residents worried about the growing waste problem across the city.
Mr Amos Abache, a community leader in Bwari town, said restoring the exercise with full enforcement would encourage participation in waste management. He noted that many streets in satellite towns have become dumpsites, creating health and aesthetic problems.
“At least once a month, residents should be compelled to come out and clean their surroundings, cut overgrown grasses, clear drainages, and gather refuse,” Abache said. “This will not only make the environment cleaner but also reduce diseases like cholera, malaria, and typhoid by eliminating breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rodents.”
He added that environmental health officers and law enforcement agents should be deployed for enforcement, while mobile sanitation courts should prosecute defaulters.
Mrs Rabi Ohida, a health worker, said the reintroduction of sanitation would keep markets, roads, and drainage systems clean and reduce pollution. She stressed that government must be consistent in fighting environmental pollution because of its harmful effects on human lives.
“The campaign for environmental cleanliness must go on. Residents must be educated on proper waste disposal, recycling, and hygiene. Asking them to dedicate one Saturday every month to clean their surroundings will improve both health and the beauty of the city,” she said.
Another resident, Mr Mohammed Sani, a businessman, said community involvement in cleanliness would reduce the pressure on council authorities and contractors. He added that residents would also learn to take responsibility for the waste they generate instead of depending only on the government.
“Clean environments are more attractive, they raise property values and improve quality of life. Right now, many areas in the FCT are dirty because people dump waste carelessly. If residents are made to gather and dispose of this waste periodically, with sanctions for defaulters, they will change their habits,” Sani said.
However, some experts believe the programme may face challenges. Mr Zachary Abutu, an environmentalist, warned that inconsistent participation could frustrate residents who comply regularly. According to him, authorities must ensure fairness and create a strong system of enforcement if the exercise is reintroduced.
Despite concerns, residents agree that the idea remains important for improving hygiene and tackling waste management in Abuja. They urged the FCT administration to fulfill its promise of restoring the monthly sanitation day and ensure strict compliance to make the city cleaner and healthier for everyone.
