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By Correspondent in Abuja.
By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated its commitment to promoting sustainable urban development and environmental protection in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Mr. Felix Obuah, Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), made this known at the 2025 World Environment Day (WED) commemoration organized by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), in collaboration with the Parks and Recreation Department of the FCTA.
“As the administrative heart of our nation, Abuja bears a unique responsibility to lead by example in advancing sustainable urban development and environmental best practices,” Obuah said.
He emphasized that combating plastic pollution requires a comprehensive strategy involving strong policies, strict enforcement, and active community participation.
“This Administration has remained steadfast in its efforts to uphold the integrity of the Abuja Master Plan, with a particular focus on effective waste management. We continue to improve refuse evacuation processes and have secured approvals for key waste management infrastructure,” he added.
Obuah stressed the need for a shift in consumption and production habits to effectively tackle plastic pollution.
“Ending plastic pollution demands more than clean-up efforts—it calls for a commitment to the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle. Our drive for a cleaner, greener, and healthier city is not merely a policy goal; it reflects our vision of Abuja as a modern, progressive capital,” he stated.
Also speaking, Mr. Osilama Braimah, Director of the AEPB, acknowledged the agency’s crucial responsibility to maintain Abuja as a clean, green, and sustainable city.
“We see the devastating impact of plastic waste daily—clogged drains, polluted soils, and degraded public spaces that pose risks to public health. With the unwavering support of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, we’ve intensified efforts in waste collection, enforcement, and prosecution of environmental offenders through mobile courts,” Braimah said.
He added that the board is collaborating with cleaning contractors and exploring circular economy solutions to reduce plastic waste across the city.
“Trees are silent heroes in our urban environment—they purify the air, serve as carbon sinks, prevent soil erosion, and enhance the aesthetic value of our city,” he noted.
Dr. Babagana Adams, a Director in the FCTA who represented the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Bunkure, advocated for proper street naming, road marking, and house numbering to ease navigation and reduce carbon emissions.
Mrs. Rekiyat Fache, National Chairman of the Association of Women Town Planners in Nigeria, emphasized the role of women in bridging the gap between urban development and environmental sustainability.
“Each year on June 5, the world unites to reflect on our responsibility to protect the planet. This year’s theme—Ending Plastic Pollution—is a global call to action against one of today’s most urgent environmental threats,” she said.
Fache lamented the growing challenge of plastic waste in Nigerian cities and stressed that sustainable urban environments must be built on conscious planning that respects ecological limits and fosters resilience.
“Our association is committed to leading by example and inspiring transformative action within the profession and our communities,” she said.
In her remarks, Mrs. Felicia Sani urged residents to plant trees and avoid littering, emphasizing that a cleaner environment begins with responsible individual actions.
Highlights of the 2025 World Environment Day celebration include prize presentations to outstanding schools and the planting of symbolic trees.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
