Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have called for the reintroduction of the suspended monthly sanitation exercise to tackle environmental pollution and improve hygiene. They argued that reinstating the exercise would foster community participation in cleaning and create a healthier environment for residents.
The monthly sanitation, first introduced nationwide in 1984 during the Buhari military regime, was later announced for revival in 2023 by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, but it has yet to be implemented two years after. Many residents lamented the growing indiscriminate waste disposal across major streets and satellite towns, warning of rising health risks like cholera, malaria, and typhoid.
Community leaders and health workers stressed that reintroducing the programme with proper enforcement, education, and waste management support would reduce pollution, enhance aesthetics, and instill public responsibility. They also urged authorities to deploy mobile courts and environmental officers to ensure compliance and sustainability.
