Enforcement of the National Environmental Health Practice Regulations (NEHPR), 2016, and the Provision and Maintenance of Basic Sanitation Facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria

The National Environmental Health Practice Regulations (NEHPR), 2016 represent important instruments for translating public health policies into practical requirements in Nigeria. This study examines the enforcement of NEHPR 2016, in relation to provision and maintenance of basic sanitation facilities in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study and data were obtained using a validated questionnaire and an observation checklist. The study population consists of adult residents’ heads of households or their representatives from study communities of the FCT and selected environmental health stakeholders who were involved in the implementation or enforcement of environmental health regulations. The heads of households or their representatives were selected using multi-stage sampling technique across the six area councils and communities. Information on enforcement procedures, institutional capacity, implementation challenges and responsibilities for sanitation service provision were obtained from the office of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria. The NEHPR Enforcement indicators were assessed by the reported inspection visits, compliance to abatement notices and other relevant enforcement actions available. Relevant official records, including inspection reports and enforcement documentations, were reviewed. Availability and functionality of sanitation facilities were assessed. From the study findings, while up to 61.2% of the Environmental Personnel possessed more than one of the ELRs, only 14.1% possessed the National Environmental Health Practice Regulations (NEHPR, 2016). A total of 11.5% of the residents had never been visited by the Environmental Personnel. Only 156 (26%) out of 600 residents were served abatement notices of which 133 (85%) complied with the terms of the notice. Sanitary conditions were poor in the study area. Up to 24.8% practiced open defecation. There were improvements in sanitation activities among residents where NEHPR, 2016 were enforced (52.1% on provision of a new water supply, 64% on provision of waste bins, and 56.9% on provision/maintenance of toilet facilities). Effective environmental health implementation is important for improvement in household sanitation.