By ADEROGBA GEORGE

The Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has clarified its mandate on public and environmental health regulations in the nation’s capital.

The clarification is contained in a statement obtained from Mr Idris Suleiman, a legal officer of the FCTA attached to the Public Health Department.

Idris said the clarification became necessary following recent concerns over compliance with public and environmental health regulations by some stakeholders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), FCT chapter, on March 18 staged a protest at the Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court, alleging multiple taxation.

The association accused the FCTA Public Health Department and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of imposing overlapping charges on private schools.

NAPPS, through its lawyer, Mr Alexander Ogboo, had called on both authorities to harmonise their roles and clarify which agency was responsible for collecting such levies.

Responding, Idris stated that the Public Health Department of the FCTA is statutorily mandated to oversee and implement public and environmental health services across the FCT.

He explained that, in line with this responsibility, demand notices were issued to regulated premises, including private schools.

These notices were to facilitate services such as premises inspection, certification of fitness for use or continued use, as well as public health pest control and disinfection.

“It has come to our attention that some schools operating under the platform of NAPPS, AMAC chapter, have declined to comply with these notices.

“Their position, as conveyed by a representative, indicates a preference to engage solely with AMAC authorities on matters relating to public health services.

“For the avoidance of doubt, a subsisting judgment of the FCT High Court has affirmed that area councils, including AMAC, do not possess the legal authority to carry out key public and environmental health functions.

“Such functions include premises inspection, certification for habitation, and monitoring of continued use of facilities.

“These responsibilities fall squarely within the mandate of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat,” he said.

Idris added that the department had made several efforts to engage NAPPS leadership, including convening meetings to address the legal and public health implications of the matter.

He, however, noted that follow-up meetings scheduled by the department were not honoured, in spite of initial assurances from the association.

He emphasised that the issue was not one of multiple taxation but compliance with public health regulations aimed at safeguarding residents, especially school children.

According to him, non-compliance undermines disease prevention efforts and poses risks of infectious disease outbreaks within the FCT.

Idris advised private school proprietors and operators of regulated premises to comply with directives and demand notices issued by the secretariat.

He added that the FCTA remained committed to dialogue, collaboration, and enforcement of standards to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

He warned that the administration would not hesitate to take necessary legal and administrative actions to ensure compliance with its statutory mandate. (NAN)