Abuja: Mr Osilama Braimah, Director of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), has retired after a meritorious 35 years of service. Braimah described his years of service as worthwhile, during a pull-out ceremony organised by the agency’s staff. “I worked with different ministers and the challenges each time were different,” he stated.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Braimah reflected on the evolution of facilities over his tenure. “When I joined the service 35 years ago, a lot of facilities that were not available then are present today. For example, we did not have a major sewage treatment plant like we have now. This was built during the time that I was in service-the Wupa Wastewater Treatment Plant. It is a major sewage treatment facility serving the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria, located in the Idu Industrial Area of Abuja,” Braimah recounted. He further mentioned the development of additional sewage treatment infrastructure in Katampe and Guzape, as well as the relocation of the solid waste dumpsite from Mpape to Goza.
Braimah expressed gratitude to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for enhancing road infrastructure, which he said significantly improved AEPB’s waste management operations by facilitating faster movement of waste conveyance trucks. “If you move around Abuja today, you’ll agree that it’s a city that is fast developing, that can compete with any modern city in the world,” he remarked.
The outgoing director revealed an ongoing procurement contract aimed at revitalizing waste management in the FCT. “The old contractors are being replaced for new ones to come on board with fresh energies and in the next couple of weeks I can assure you that you’re going to see a far cleaner FCT. This is what we intended to achieve. And if you look around Abuja today, you will agree that we’ve achieved most of it,” Braimah said.
He emphasized that the AEPB has successfully served the FCT and Nigeria, despite facing various challenges. “So, it was a memorable period with challenges up and down but I think we were able to achieve what we set out to achieve,” Braimah added. He encouraged AEPB staff to remain committed and dedicated, stressing the importance of viewing AEPB as a common home. “We have nowhere else to go even if you go to any part of the world, you always come back,” he concluded.