Waste Collection: FCTA locks offices in N10 billion debt recovery drive

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has commenced a debt recovery drive in a bid to recover over Ten Billion Naira (N10,000,000,000) owed by several government agencies, business premises and residential apartments in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Director of AEPB, Engr. Osilama Briamah, said that the debts accrued over time due to the failure of those concerned to pay for services rendered to them by the AEPB.

Consequently, a task team was set up by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, to carry out the task of recovering the huge sums of money from the debtors.

“All of us desire to live and work in a world-class city compared to other beautiful cities around the world.

“But we can only do that successfully if we behave as responsible citizens by paying our utility bills especially for solid and liquid waste collection.

“Unfortunately, many agencies, residential apartments, hotels, plazas and so on, are not paying their bills as expected. That makes it difficult to raise the money needed to manage a mega-city like Abuja,” said Engr. Braimah.

He said, beginning from 5:30 a.m on Tuesday April 19th, based on a court order already obtained by the AEPB, the Task Team will embark on mass seal-up of these facilities with the aim of recovering the huge money being owed.

“The AEPB had made moves to provide soft-landing for the debtors through negotiated settlement, but to no avail.

“Therefore, the only option left was to apply the legal means by enforcing the court order to seal-up the affected premises,” he lamented.

So, as workers prepare to resume work after the Easter holiday, some government offices, hotels, plazas and other business premises may be under lock and key due to debts owed the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).

The Director, however, said the affected debtors can avoid the impending embarrassment by ensuring prompt payment of their liabilities.

“The payments can be made conveniently through the Remita portal,” he added.