The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through its Health Services and Environment Secretariat, has issued a formal notice to all public premises in Abuja, directing them to comply with statutory environmental and health requirements or face penalties.

The notice, issued by the Environmental Health Services Department, cites several legal provisions, including the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, the Federal Capital Territory Act Subsidiary Legislation 2007, the Public Health Act Cap 541, and the National Environmental Health Practice Regulation 2024.

According to the FCTA, the directive aims to safeguard the health of residents, clients, and workers across the territory. Premises are required to obtain services such as:

• Sanitary inspection and certificates of fitness for habitation or continued use
• Occupational health audits
• Environmental impact assessments
• Annual air quality and pollution assessments
• Food handling permits for food establishments

The notice instructed that all payments for these services must be made directly into the FCTA Revenue account through the official payment platform. Premises are required to present proof of payment, obtain an official receipt, and follow up to ensure issuance of the required certificates.

The Secretariat warned that failure to obtain the certificates or make payments through the official channels will be treated as non-compliance, and any cash payment or payment to an unauthorized account will be considered invalid.

Premises that do not comply within 14 days of the notice will be subjected to the full penalties outlined in the National Environmental Health Practice Regulation, 2024, the FCTA stated.

The notice was signed by the Director of Operations, Environmental Health Services Department, on behalf of the Director of Environmental Health Services under the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat.