Only FCTA trains screens, certifies food handlers – Official insists

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says the training, screening, and issuance of certificate of fitness to food, water and beverage handlers in Abuja, the nation’s capital city is still under its purview.

Director of Public Health, Human and Health Services Secretariat (HHSS) of the FCTA, Mr Abdulrahman Sadiq, stated this at a news conference in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Sadiq explained that the clarification became necessary to ensure that relevant stakeholders, particularly those in the hospitality industry were all on the same page.

He said that training, screening, and certification of all food handlers was necessary to curb the outbreak of diseases caused by poor or unhealthy handling of food for public consumption.

He said that people operating restaurants, hotels, food processors, and those in the hospitality industry in general must be screened every six months and be certified fit to handle food for public consumption.

This, according to him, is to ensure that every food that the members of the public consume are safe and will not lead to food poisoning or outbreak of any diseases.

“The goal is to ensure public safety and to curtail the outbreak of diseases either because the people handling the food are not healthy, or the environment is not hygienic enough.

“This conference is organised to ensure that FCTA and relevant stakeholders are all on the same page on this and to also strengthen working synergy among stakeholders including Abuja Municipal Area Council,” he said.

Also speqking, Director, Legal Services, HHSS, Mrs Comfort Fasanya, explained that the challenge of who should train, screen, and certify food handlers in the FCT between FCTA and AMAC has been put to rest.

Fasanya noted that Dunes Investment and Global Services, a hospitality business outfit, had dragged AMAC and FCTA before a Federal High Court over the issue.

She said the company had asked the court to determine the agency and or authority it should relate with and pay relevant fees and charges.

According to her, the court had on July 12, 2023, ruled that the applicant shall relate with the FCTA as the agency empowered to issue certificates of medical fitness as well as screen its food handlers.

On his part, the acting Secretary, HHSS, Mr. Noel Haruna, called for the cooperation of relevant stakeholders to ensure strict compliance to the training, screening, and certification of food handlers.

According to him, the goal is to ensure the safety of members of the public from contaminated food, drinks, or beverages.

“Now that the matter has been put to rest by a court of competent jurisdiction, we should all work together for the safety of all residents of the FCT from any food poisoning,” he said.

Not left , Director Special Duties, HHSS,Dr Mathew Ashikeni called on the stakeholders to work as a team.

This, according to him, will ensure a health society free from all kinds of food poison and public health concern on account of consumption of food, drinks, or beverages.