Abuja sanitation contractors threaten to halt waste collection from September 25 over nine months of unpaid wages.
They warn of public health risks as mounting arrears cripple operations across Nigeria’s capital city.
Contractors responsible for sanitation services in Nigeria’s capital city have threatened to suspend waste collection from September 25 over the non-payment of nine months’ wages.
In a letter to the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, the Association of FCT Solid Waste and Cleaning Contractors (AFSOWAC) warned that its members could no longer guarantee uninterrupted service without urgent settlement of arrears.
AFSOWAC represents contractors managing 44 sanitation lots across Abuja, collectively clearing over 1,000 tonnes of waste daily using more than 100 refuse trucks and 60 tippers. The association said the work directly engages over 3,000 staff, many of whom rely solely on the jobs for survival.
Despite this, the contractors stated that they have not been paid since January 2025 and have had to sustain operations through loans and personal funds, which they described as “exhausted.”
“Despite our loyalty and sustained service delivery, we have not received payments since January 2025. Without payment, we cannot continue,” the association declared.
The group also criticized the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) for continuing to issue directives while ignoring its financial concerns. Already, they warned, signs of waste build-up are becoming visible across the city.
AFSOWAC further decried the deplorable state of the Gosa dumpsite, calling for urgent government intervention to improve access roads and equipment.
The association urged the FCT Administration to expedite the procurement process initiated in October 2024 and adjust payments to reflect current economic realities, including the removal of subsidies and the depreciation of the naira. They argued that outdated rates no longer match today’s soaring operational costs.
Sanitation workers warned that disruption of services would carry serious public health and safety risks, especially in a densely populated city like Abuja.
The contractors appealed for urgent government action to avert a strike, stressing that passion and commitment alone can no longer sustain the essential service.
