Contractors responsible for cleaning Abuja have warned they may suspend services from September 25 due to unpaid wages spanning nine months.
The warning was issued by the Association of FCT Solid Waste and Cleaning Contractors (AFSOWAC) in a letter to the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council. The group said uninterrupted sanitation services in the Federal Capital Territory could no longer be guaranteed without urgent payment.
AFSOWAC represents contractors handling sanitation across 44 lots in Abuja. Its members operate over 100 refuse trucks and 60 tippers, clearing more than 1,000 tonnes of waste daily. The work engages more than 3,000 staff, many of whom rely entirely on the job for their livelihood.
The association explained that contractors have sustained operations by borrowing from formal and informal sources, but these resources are now exhausted. “Despite our loyalty and sustained service delivery, we have not received payments since January 2025,” it said.
AFSOWAC also criticized the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), which oversees the contracts, for continuing to issue daily directives without resolving financial concerns. The delay has already led to noticeable waste accumulation in the city.
The group highlighted the poor condition of the Gosa dumpsite, calling it “deplorable,” and urged immediate intervention to improve access and equipment. They also requested that the FCT Administration expedite the procurement process begun in October 2024 to reflect current economic realities, including subsidy removal and naira devaluation.
“We have reached a point where passion and commitment alone cannot sustain this essential service. Without payment, we cannot continue,” the association warned, appealing for urgent government action to prevent disruptions that could threaten public health and safety.