The National Association of Public Health Practitioners of Nigeria (NAPHPN) has raised concerns over the alleged misuse of power and the incessant arrest of its members by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) in what it described as an attempt to control its decision-making processes.

Speaking on the issue, the National Vice President of NAPHPN, Akinwunmi Samuel, criticized EHCON for abandoning its primary objectives under the Federal Ministry of Environment, where pressing environmental problems threaten public safety, and instead encroach on domains beyond its mandate.

He alleged that EHCON has turned its head office into a hub for harassment, using security agents to intimidate and harass staff. He further claimed that such actions undermine accountability, professionalism, and effectiveness while detracting from the effort to address Nigeria’s pressing public health challenges.

“Over the past years, we have witnessed systematic attempts by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria to subjugate our independence, undermine our authority, and disregard the rights of our members. They have used their influence to intimidate, coerce, and manipulate corporate members, culminating in the recent burning down of one of our members’ institutions, the Katsina State College of Health Technology, Jega,” Samuel said.

The National Vice President also noted that the once peaceful environment among training institutions has been disrupted by the regular influx of EHCON staff into campuses, creating fear and confusion among public health students.

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to expedite legislative reforms to strengthen the nation’s public health security, emergency management, and preparedness. He urged the President to grant assent to a pending bill and ensure accelerated hearings for their reintroduced bill at the National Assembly to ensure proper regulation of the public health profession in Nigeria.

According to Samuel, “It defies logic that EHCON continues to cite Act 11 of 2002 (as amended) to regulate the environmental health profession in Nigeria. The act is limited to determining the standards of knowledge and skills required for environmental health professionals, maintaining a register of environmental health practitioners, conducting examinations, and ensuring adherence to the highest standards of practice in addressing environmental challenges.”

He emphasized that these legislative reforms are crucial for addressing the country’s complex health challenges and ensuring that public health professionals operate in a conducive and well-regulated environment.