Two Years of Waste: Massive waste dump persists for Two Years near NUJ Office in Utako, Abuja

For more than two years, a massive heap of refuse has occupied a large portion of Airport Junction in Utako, Abuja, turning one of the city’s busiest routes into an unsightly and foul-smelling landmark.

The dump, located beside the main road and directly opposite several commercial buildings, has become a constant source of concern for residents, traders, and motorists who say the situation has lingered despite numerous complaints to the authorities.

“This heap has been here since before COVID,” said Ibrahim Musa, who is a commercial taxi driver near the site. “Trucks come once in a long while to push the trash around, but they never clear it completely. It keeps growing again after a few days.”

A visit to the location shows piles of decomposing waste mixed with plastics, nylon, and other refuse stretching along the roadside. The stench from the heap fills the air, while occasional burning worsens pollution in the area.

The refuse site also sits close to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council Secretariat, where reporters and media workers have continued to raise alarm over the situation. Journalists who spoke with our correspondent said several complaints have been made to the relevant authorities, but no meaningful action has followed.

“It’s shameful that this heap is just beside the NUJ office a place that represents the voice of the people,” said one journalist who preferred not to be named. “We’ve reported this repeatedly, yet nothing has been done.”

Residents say the situation has made the area unhealthy and unattractive, especially as the junction connects the city center to the Airport Road ,a route frequented by visitors and workers.

“This is the first thing people see when they arrive from the airport,” said Mr Shola Kareem, a Vulcanizer whose shop faces the dump. “It’s embarrassing. We feel forgotten. The smell alone can make you sick.”

Despite repeated calls to the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), residents claim no meaningful action has been taken to clear the waste or prevent further dumping.

An Environmental expert who spoke to NUJ FCT Correspondent warned that the continuous presence of refuse in public spaces can lead to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, particularly during the rainy season when waste washes into nearby drainages.

“This is not just an eyesore — it’s a health threat,” said Mrs Nwosu. “The government needs to step in immediately and enforce proper waste management in this area.”

As of the time of filing this report, no waste evacuation trucks or environmental officials had been seen at the site.

Recall that the Association of FCT Solid Waste and Cleaning Contractors (AFSOWAC) had threatened to suspend city cleaning operations across the Federal Capital City (FCC) by September 25, 2025, following the non-payment of nine months’ outstanding fees by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB)