By Peter Azi, Jos
As the rainy season gathers momentum across Plateau State, the Plateau State Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) has intensified efforts to prevent flooding and curb the spread of diseases associated with poor sanitation and environmental hygiene.
The agency has embarked on an extensive drainage desilting and household sanitation exercise across Jos and Bukuru metropolis, aimed at ensuring cleaner surroundings, improved public health, and unrestricted flow of stormwater during the rainy season.
According to PEPSA, the initiative is part of its commitment to its core mandate of environmental sanitation, waste management, flood prevention, and public health protection.
The agency’s responsibilities include household inspections, solid waste management, pest control, environmental sanitation enforcement, and the clearing and desilting of drainage channels. PEPSA is also charged with regulating street trading and hawking, controlling illegal motor parks, addressing street begging, promoting hygiene awareness, and supporting efforts to eliminate open defecation through the provision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools.
To effectively deliver on these mandates, the agency has strengthened collaboration with key stakeholders, including the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), non-governmental organisations, community groups, and concerned citizens.
NESREA, the federal agency responsible for enforcing environmental laws, policies, regulations, and international environmental treaties in Nigeria, plays a critical role in monitoring industrial pollution, waste management, chemical safety, environmental compliance, and environmental impact assessments nationwide.
Driving the sanitation campaign in Plateau State is the Director-General of PEPSA, Mr. Samuel Dapiya, who reiterated the agency’s commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
“We have carried out extensive desilting activities across the state and we conduct the exercise twice annually. This has been our practice since 2023 when Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang appointed me as Director-General,” Dapiya said.
“The objective is simple: to prevent flooding and protect lives and property. Currently, our workforce is active in Bukuru, particularly around waterways near the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN). We have also completed significant drainage clearing projects in the city centre, Dadin Kowa, Ahmadu Bello Way, Terminus, and around the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) Temporary Site.”
Beyond flood control, Dapiya noted that the agency pays close attention to public health issues, particularly sanitation facilities in homes and communities.
“We are concerned about the well-being of our people, especially the quality and condition of household toilet facilities. We continue to enforce the monthly sanitation exercise and ensure strict compliance,” he added.
The May sanitation exercise, according to the agency, focused primarily on household inspections and public awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging residents to adopt better hygiene practices.
Also speaking on the collaboration, the Acting Zonal Director of NESREA for the North-Central Zone, Mr. Jude Dapiya, emphasized the importance of partnerships in addressing environmental challenges.
“Environmental issues do not recognize boundaries. Pollution, poor sanitation, and environmental degradation affect everyone. That is why collaboration is essential. Our partnership with PEPSA goes beyond enforcement; it is also about creating awareness and promoting healthy living among the people,” he said.
He expressed optimism that residents of Plateau State would continue to embrace environmental sanitation as a collective responsibility.
Observers note that since the inauguration of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s administration under the “Time Is Now” agenda, sanitation has received unprecedented attention. Shortly after assuming office, the governor declared a state of emergency on environmental sanitation and backed the declaration with decisive action, including the appointment of a youthful and energetic leadership at PEPSA.
Under Samuel Dapiya’s stewardship, the agency has entered into strategic partnerships and signed memoranda of understanding with various organizations to enhance service delivery and environmental sustainability.
Today, the impact of these interventions is increasingly visible. Major drainage channels are being cleared, public spaces are cleaner, and markets across Jos and Bukuru have institutionalized sanitation exercises every Thursday to complement the state’s monthly environmental sanitation programme.
In addition to the monthly exercises, PEPSA personnel work daily to evacuate refuse from major markets, residential areas, and public spaces, contributing to the transformation of Jos into a cleaner and healthier city.
As climate change continues to increase the risk of flooding and environmental health challenges, stakeholders believe that sustained sanitation efforts, public participation, and inter-agency collaboration will remain critical to safeguarding communities and preserving the beauty of Plateau State.
This version adopts a magazine feature style, improves flow and readability, and presents the story in a professional journalistic format suitable for publication.