Abuja Residents Get Direct Hotlines to Flag Uncleared Waste

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched an aggressive new sanitation campaign, empowering residents of the nation’s capital to act as whistleblowers against negligent waste contractors. In a strategic move to restore the city’s cleanliness, the administration has released four dedicated WhatsApp hotlines designed specifically for reporting overflowing dumpsters and unevacuated refuse across the territory.

This initiative follows a significant overhaul of the FCT’s waste management system by Minister Nyesom Wike, who recently warned that contractors failing to meet their obligations would face immediate contract termination. By putting reporting tools directly into the hands of the public, the FCTA aims to create a real-time monitoring network that ensures no corner of Abuja is left behind in the ongoing sanitation drive.

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, announced the rollout on Tuesday. He explained that the administration is leveraging digital technology to foster transparency and accountability. Residents are now urged to capture photo or video evidence of uncleared waste and send these directly to the new monitoring center via the popular messaging app.

The effectiveness of this digital dragnet hinges on precise data. Olayinka emphasized that for the reports to be actionable, residents must include the exact location of the refuse—citing specific street names, landmarks, or districts. This geographical data allows the FCTA to pinpoint the specific contractor assigned to that zone, making it impossible for service providers to hide behind bureaucratic excuses.

The designated numbers for this public reporting initiative are 08038643087, 07011073406, 07011255710, and 09114843425. These lines are now active and ready to receive submissions from all six Area Councils of the FCT, particularly as the city manages the increased waste typical of the festive season.

For years, many Abuja residents have lamented the sight of refuse heaps at strategic junctions and within residential estates. While the government has recently awarded contracts to over 54 new waste management firms, the transition period has seen varying levels of performance. This hotline system is the government’s response to those gaps, shifting the burden of supervision from a few inspectors to millions of residents.

The move also aligns with Minister Wike’s broader “Renewed Hope” vision for the capital city, which prioritizes infrastructure maintenance and environmental aesthetics. The Minister has previously stated that the FCT should be a world-class environment, and that “business as usual” for contractors who collect payments without performing their duties is over.

Beyond just cleaning the streets, the FCTA expects this participatory model to improve the city’s health outcomes by reducing the breeding grounds for pests and preventing the blockage of drainage systems. As the rainy season approaches its end and the dry season brings dust and litter, the timing of this civic engagement tool is seen by many as critical.

As the new reporting regime takes flight, the administration has promised that all complaints will be tracked and resolved within a reasonable timeframe. The ultimate goal is to move from a culture of complaining about dirt to one where citizens and government work in tandem to maintain a pristine capital.