FCTA Bans Use of Ambulances for Corpses, Moves to Acquire Hearses and 12 New Emergency Vehicles

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has strongly condemned the increasing use of ambulances to convey corpses within Abuja, describing the practice as “unethical and unacceptable.”

The warning was issued by Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), during a press briefing on Friday after the fifth meeting of the FCT Executive Committee, chaired by Minister Nyesom Wike.

Fasawe announced that the administration had approved the purchase of 12 brand-new, fully equipped ambulances, while also revealing plans to acquire hearses dedicated solely for transporting corpses.

“In the FCT, we have zero tolerance for an ambulance to carry a corpse. It is not ethical because a living person will lie on that stretcher without decontamination,” Fasawe said. “So, we are also looking into buying hearses in the next budget, specifically to carry dead bodies.”

The Health Secretary disclosed that the newly procured vehicles — 12 units of Toyota Hiace Hiroof (2023–2024 models) — are built to international medical standards and will soon be commissioned for deployment across the territory.

“For the first time in about nine years, FCT will get 12 brand-new special ambulances. These are state-of-the-art vehicles, each equipped with Bluetooth systems, airbags, keyless entry, and advanced medical fittings. They have been delivered and will be commissioned soon,” she stated.

Fasawe explained that the ambulances will greatly enhance emergency medical response within the nation’s capital, especially with ongoing improvements in road infrastructure.

“A journey that used to take 20 minutes now takes five. With these ambulances, it may take just three minutes to reach a patient in need. This shows how the FCT system is working effectively under the current administration,” she added.

She further reminded residents that they can access emergency services by dialing 112, the national emergency line operational within Abuja.

During the same meeting, the FCT Executive Council reviewed over 22 memoranda, approving 14 new contracts and eight ratifications spanning key sectors such as health, agriculture, education, water supply, and youth development.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Richard Yunana Dauda, announced that Council had approved the construction of an alternative access road to the old Federal Secretariat in Durumi, which has lacked proper road infrastructure since the 1980s.

“That Secretariat has existed since the 1980s with only one access road, which had become deplorable. This new project will solve that long-standing challenge,” Dauda said.

Other approvals included:

• Supply of fertilizers and inputs to support farmers and enhance food production across the territory.
• Procurement of water treatment materials — alum, chlorine, and diesel — for the Lower Usuma Dam, valued at over ₦9.5 billion, to ensure steady access to safe drinking water.
• Provision of instructional materials and equipment worth ₦394.8 million for 88 senior secondary schools to improve learning and examination readiness for WAEC and NECO.

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