According to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, 300 workers from waste management companies that are contracted from different categories and cadres under the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) are organizing protests in their respective service areas over unpaid invoices.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Wike hinted that he would not pay them because they did not do their duties during a Sunday media parley. “I’m not here for contractors; go look at the trash on the road, exactly like I saw at Bwari earlier today. I’m not going to pay them. I would be delighted if Mr. President was satisfied with my appointment because he is aware of what he wants you to perform.
“You came a month later to turn in a document to pay for the rubbish I observed on the road. What kind of garbage did you remove? He inquired.
In reference to the fact that contracts in the Nigerian capital cost over N1.2 billion in a single month, the FCT Minister said he had visited Bwari earlier on Sunday and had called the STDD Coordinator and the Council Chairman to give them an update on the situation in the area. “You want to use blackmail against me after we spent over N1.2 billion in a month with no results. That is not going to occur.
When I visited Bwari, I saw rubbish everywhere. No one can frighten me or blackmail me. I’ll behave morally. “What I’m trying to say is that you need to take a stance and declare that this cannot continue.
“I notice that each month you come to ask for funds to maintain items like street lights and the like. What are you keeping? Since there was no light when I passed this place the other day, why are you asking for money for maintenance? Wike asked. The outraged workers said that throughout the preceding six months, they had not been paid. According to the representatives of the resentful workers, they operate under the STDD as garbage management contractors.
John Okafor spoke last week on behalf of the STDD Waste Contractors Forum, stating that they are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the unpaid invoices for completed work, which prevents them from being able to pay employees’ salaries. Among the services covered by the STDD are janitorial, cleaning, and solid waste removal services.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
