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Part XXVI — Bye-Law No. 25 of 2016

Regulated Premises

Hotels, Restaurants, Bakeries, Dairies, Food Establishments & Related Premises within Bwari Area Council

Regulated Premises Bye-Law No. 25 of 2016

Part XXVI — Bwari Area Council FCT Abuja, Nigeria

This Bye-Law governs hotels, guest inns, restaurants, eating houses, bakeries, aerated water manufacturers, food preserving establishments, dairies, and all places of sale of food to the public within the territorial jurisdiction of Bwari Area Council.

No. 25 of 2016
Part XXVI
Bwari Area Council, FCT Abuja
Section 7, Fourth Schedule — 1999 Constitution

Premises Covered by this Bye-Law

Hotels & Guest Inns
Restaurants & Eating Houses
Bakeries & Confectioneries
Aerated Water Manufacturers
Food Preserving Establishments
Places of Sale of Food to the Public

Registration & Annual Renewal

Sections 1–6 — Permit Conditions

All regulated premises shall be registered annually in the office of the Area Council by the proprietor or occupier. No person shall set up a regulated premises without prior permission from the Council.

  • An Environmental Health Officer must certify the premises as hygienically fit for the intended purpose.
  • An Environmental Health Officer must certify the applicant and all workers as free from any communicable or food-transmissible diseases.
  • The applicant shall pay fees as specified under this Bye-Law.
  • Any premises not re-registered in January of each year shall be deemed unregistered premises.
  • A permit expires on 31st December of the year of payment and may be renewed annually on application by the holder.
Any holder who fails to renew their permit within two months of expiration and remains in business shall be guilty of an offence, liable to a fine of ₦50,000 or six months imprisonment or both.

Health & Sanitation Standards

Sections 9–23 — Operational Requirements
  • A food handler suffering from an infectious disease or open wound shall cease to handle food until certified fit by a qualified medical officer.
  • All regulated premises shall be paved or concreted and drained to the satisfaction of the Environmental Health Officer. The area shall be no less than 200 square feet.
  • All regulated premises shall be lime-washed inside throughout once every six months, or thoroughly cleaned periodically.
  • No animal or bird shall be allowed on bakery, dairy or aerated water manufacturing premises, which shall be made fly-proof.
  • No room used for any regulated purpose shall be used as a sleeping apartment.
  • All flour, foodstuffs and water shall be kept adequately covered and all pans, moulds and utensils maintained clean.
  • Only water from a source approved by the Environmental Health Officer shall be used on regulated premises.
  • Premises shall be open for inspection by the Health Officer between 06:00 and 18:30 on any working day.
Any hotel, guest inn or motel used to harbor commercial sex workers within the Council's jurisdiction shall be guilty of an offence, liable to a fine of ₦500,000 for an individual or ₦2,000,000 for a corporate body, without an option of fine.

First Schedule — License Fees

Annual Fee Ranges (₦) by Establishment Size
Establishment Large (₦) Medium (₦) Small (₦)
Hotels100,000 – 160,00040,000 – 70,00010,000 – 30,000
Guest Inn20,000 – 30,00015,000 – 20,00010,000 – 15,000
Restaurant30,000 – 70,00010,000 – 30,0005,000 – 10,000
Canteen5,000 – 10,0003,000 – 7,0002,000 – 3,000
Joints / Bar20,000 – 50,00015,000 – 30,0003,000 – 10,000
Bakery50,000 – 100,00030,000 – 50,00010,000 – 25,000
Other Confectioneries15,000 – 20,0005,000 – 10,0001,000 – 5,000
Yoghurt & Dairy Foods100,000 – 150,00050,000 – 70,00010,000 – 50,000
Portable Water Factory120,000 – 250,000100,000 – 150,00050,000 – 100,000
Food Preserving Establishment70,000 – 100,00015,000 – 60,0005,000 – 10,000
Food Related Warehouse50,000 – 80,00020,000 – 50,0005,000 – 15,000
Food Hawkers3,000 – 5,0002,000 – 3,0001,000 – 2,000
Food Related Establishment20,000 – 40,00010,000 – 30,0002,000 – 10,000
Other5,000 – 10,0003,000 – 5,000500 – 1,500

These fees are subject to review by the Area Council when necessary.

Third Schedule — Sanitation Violation Fines

Penalties for Specific Sanitation Offences
Violation Min. Fine (₦) Max. Fine (₦) Imprisonment
Failure to obtain permission100,000250,0001 Year
Operating without sanitary conveniences50,00080,0001 Month
Failure to clean sidewalk2,0004,0001 Month
Littering / throwing out3,0006,5001 Month
Sweep-out offence1,5003,5001 Month
Failure to use proper dustbin30,00045,0006 Months
Failure to cover dustbins15,00030,0001 Month
Improper replacement of dustbins15,00030,0001 Month