PEPSA, JMDB Collaborate for Successful Environmental Sanitation.
By Peter Azi – Jos
The unprecedented spirit of camaraderie, collaboration, unity, and cooperation was showcased by the Director General of the Plateau State Environmental and Sanitation Agency, popularly known as PEPSA, and the Jos Metropolitan Development Board General Manager, also known as JMDB, Samuel Dapiya, and Architect Hat Bankat, who were out with the show of force, determination, and rekindled the spirit of patriotism and habits of cleanliness.
Leading the robust taskforce to monitor and enforce restrictions for the Monthly Sanitation exercise, which is a routine in the State and first for the year, was so coordinated and powerful.
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It was not easy for the defaulters and violators of the Sanitation laws of Plateau State. Mobile courts were carefully stationed at the strategic areas, especially roundabouts that motorists ply to their various destinations.
Aside from individuals fined by the magistrates for various offences, some were engaged in community services such as sweeping and cleaning of gutters, sealing of shops, eateries, among others, were most actions and activities witnessed during the exercise.
The areas visited by the taskforce include the Hill Station Roundabout, old Airport where many petty traders were busy carrying out their business; the team clamped down on them and charged them at the mobile court, and other penalties were meted on them.
The Task force was also at Gold and Base to seal a popular meat seller’s shop for lack of property hygiene. While at the Bukuru market, in Jos South Local Government Area, traders were already transacting their businesses without observing the Sanitation.
They faced the full wrath of the law as their shops were sealed and were sanctioned heavily.
The Permanent Site of the University of Jos was also among the areas visited where the Agency evacuated heaps of refuse that littered the University’s main entrance; all were evacuated.
Speaking on his experience during the exercise, the DG of PEPSA said the level of compliance has gone down despite the huge investment on Awareness and Advocacy by the Agency.
“We have gone round the town from our office to Ahmadu Bello way, Hill station Roundabout, old Airport, Rayfield, and Bukuru, and shops were opened in Bukuru, and business activities were ongoing”
“We have stated time without number emphatically that the issue of sanitation is not the issue of government alone but a citizens’ participation project, and our desire in the Agency is that we want sanitation without restricting and locking people at homes, and you can see, even with the restriction, citizens don’t participate; how then do we grow, says the D.G.
“How then do we grow having the sanitation without enforcement? It behoves on us to consistently enforce the sanitation laws until we learn and unlearn bad practices and also address the issue of behavioural changes.
“I’m glad to be here with my brother from JMDB, enforcing the order 003 and Sanitation laws and assessing what is going on.
Mr. Dapiya said the Agency will be consistent in enforcing sanitation laws like the promises of God until Plateau State is kept clean and safe.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, FEBRUARY 1ST 2026)
