Residents of Apo Re
settlement Estate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed concern over indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the area, saying it could lead to outbreak of epidemics.  The residents expressed their displeasure in separate interviews with The Tide in Abuja.
A civil servant, Mr Inuwa Abubakar, described indiscriminate dumping of refuse as a behaviour that could cause environmental pollution, leading to outbreak of diseases.
He called on the relevant authorities to do all in their power to clear the area of refuse, and end to the ugly trend. “For more than three months now, we have not seen the people in charge of waste collection.
“Majority of the residents have resorted to dumping their refuse at public places, and close to the market and open spaces.
“People who pass through the area have to cover their noses due to the foul smell that emanate from the dump site; and if this is not stopped, an epidemic could break out.
“We are calling on relevant agencies to send their personnel to clear this place,” Abubakar said.
Another resident, Mr Isaac Ishola, lamented the situation in the area, and blamed it on lack of available waste bins in most homes within the estate. Ishola said there was need for residents to cultivate the culture of cleanliness by mobilising themselves for routine sanitation exercise.
“If residents of these estate can cultivate the habit of mobilising themselves to keep their environment clean, it would go a long way to achieve a clean environment.
“We as Nigerians need to start the monthly cleaning exercise; this is the right thing to do,” Ishola said.
In a telephone interview, Mrs Aishat Adebayo, Acting Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, advised the residents to take charge of their environment and ensure that their drainage systems are clean.
She said that efforts by the Board to sustain clean environment demonstrated government’s resolve to ensure that Abuja residents lived in a healthy environment.
“I am advising Abuja residents to take charge of their immediate environment; make sure people do not dump refuse, urinate or defecate in their immediate environment,’’ she advised.
Adebayo said that the board would continue to sanction defaulters of sanitation laws, and advised residents to clear bushes and ponds around their homes to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.

Diversion of water taking place at Kashimbila multi-purpose dam in Taraba State to allow construction work at the other part of the dam.