Pest Control

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 7 and the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, and other relevant sections of the Local Government Act, Laws of the FCT Abuja 2006, this Bye-Law establishes pest control standards for all premises within the territorial jurisdiction of Bwari Area Council.

All premises within the territorial jurisdiction of Bwari Area Council which contain holes or openings through which rats or other insects/pests can pass, rat runs, or similar holes, or which are infested with rats, shall be disinfected and fumigated for the destruction of rats, mice, vermin, fleas, bugs, and other parasites.

Duties of Environmental Health Officers

• A Health Officer may order the disinfection of any premises where there is a case or suspected case of infectious disease, or where articles or things are considered a risk to public health.
• An Environmental Health Officer shall ensure a high standard of sanitation to maintain a vector-free status by inspection, detection and destruction of pests using scientific measures.
• An Environmental Health Officer shall enforce statutory provisions on pest control activities and supervise the activities of private pest control firms operating within the Area Council.

• Every owner(s) and occupier(s) of premises and adjoining premises shall promptly report any incidence or menace of insects, rodents, reptiles and any form of vermin to the health officer for necessary action.
• Every owner/occupier shall take all measures necessary for preventing the existence or continued breeding of pests within their premises.
• The owner(s)/occupier(s) shall be responsible for the cost of services rendered/required in their premises, the amount being determinable by the Area Council from time to time.

Registration & Fumigation Cycle

All premises and establishments shall be thoroughly fumigated before registration or occupation at the beginning of each year, and this shall be repeated every six months. The certificate issued upon fumigation is one of the requisite conditions for registration or annual renewal of a food premises permit.

Jurisdiction for trial of offences under this Bye-Law is vested in the Magistrate Court of any grade.