CONTINUOUS WASTE EVACUATION UNDERWAY IN SATELLITE TOWNS AS STDD INTENSIFIES CLEAN-UP DRIVE.
By: Meeme Felicia
The Satellite Town Development Department, STDD, has sustained its continuous waste evacuation and clean-up exercise across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, following a directive from the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
The exercise, which commenced on Saturday, April 19th, 2026, is still ongoing, with heavy operations currently active in Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Abaji Area Councils.
Leading the operation, the Coordinator of the Satellite Town Development Department, Hon, Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said the continuous evacuation was part of the FCT Administration’s commitment to ensuring a clean, safe, and habitable environment for all residents, especially as the rainy season sets in.
“His Excellency, the Hon, Minister, Barr, Nyesom Wike, gave a clear instruction”our satellite towns must not be left behind in the drive for a cleaner Abuja. That is why our trucks and sanitation teams have been on the ground daily since April 19, and we are not stopping,” Hon. Zulkiflu stated during an inspection tour of the areas evacuated on Sunday.
He Appeals to Residents “Stop Indiscriminate Dumping”
Hon. Abdulkadir used the opportunity to make a passionate appeal to residents of all six area councils Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali to desist from dumping waste on road medians, in drainages, and other unapproved locations.
He further explained that “Littering and indiscriminate dumping of waste can cause disease outbreaks in all areas. I am emphasizing this again because we are in the rainy season. Waste blocks our drainages and causes flooding, and flooding is not friendly to anyone, no matter who you are. Cholera is not friendly either,” he said.
The Coordinator stressed that refuse should be properly bagged and deposited only at designated collection points where STDD evacuation trucks can access them.
“Package your waste as expected and dump it at the right places at the right time. Do not litter the roads or throw refuse into gutters. When drainages are blocked, water has nowhere to go. That is how we get flash floods, and that is how we get cholera and other waterborne diseases,” he added.
“FCTA is Commitmented to a Habitable Environment”
The coordinator reassured residents that the FCT Administration, under the leadership of Barrister Nyesom Wike, is doing everything possible to make the environment habitable and to prevent outbreaks of cholera and other preventable diseases.
“The Honourable Minister is committed to this. The STDD is committed to this. But we cannot do it alone. We need the cooperation of every resident in the satellite towns. Keep your surroundings clean. Take responsibility for your waste, A clean environment is a shared responsibility,” he said.
He noted that the continuous evacuation is running daily across the area councils, with special attention to all areas. The satellite towns’ teams are hereby sensitizing everyone to keep your environment clean and green.
“The rains are here. Let us not invite flooding and disease into our homes through careless waste disposal. Cleanliness is health, and health is wealth,” Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu concluded.
The STDD is urging all residents to clear blocked drainages and remove dirt around your homes and shops, and make your environment habitable.
