FCTA Clarifies Public Health Role Amid Schools’ Protest

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has clarified its mandate on public and environmental health services following concerns raised by private school operators in the territory over alleged multiple charges.

The clarification came after members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) protested in Wuse, alleging overlapping levies imposed by the FCTA Public Health Department and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

NAPPS, through its lawyer, Alexander Ogboo, had called on the authorities to define their respective roles and streamline charges affecting private schools.

Responding, a legal officer in the FCTA public health department, Idris Suleiman, said the secretariat was statutorily empowered to oversee public and environmental health services across the FCT.

He explained that demand notices issued to schools and other premises were tied to services such as inspection, certification of fitness for use, pest control and disinfection.

“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,” Suleiman said.

He added that such responsibilities, including premises inspection and certification, fall within the mandate of the FCTA.

Suleiman dismissed claims of multiple taxation, stressing that the issue is about compliance with public health regulations.

“This is not a case of multiple taxation but compliance with public health standards aimed at safeguarding residents, especially school children,” he said.

He noted that the FCTA had made efforts to engage the association through meetings, but some follow-up engagements were not honoured.

The administration warned that non-compliance could undermine disease prevention efforts and expose residents to health risks.

It urged school proprietors and other operators to comply with its directives, adding that enforcement measures would be applied where necessary.