Plateau Govt. Launches Campaign To End Open Defecation

The Plateau Government has launched a special campaign to support the ongoing fight against open defecation in the state.

 

Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, represented by Dr Nicholas Baamlong, the Commissioner for Heath, launched the campaign on Friday in Jos to commemorate the 2025 World Water Day.

 

Plateau is ranked second, after Kwara with high rate of open defecation in the country.

 

Mutfwang said that the campaign, tagged “Clean Plateau, Use the Toilet”, aimed at raising awareness on the importance of using sanitation facilities by residents of the state.

 

“I am pleased to announce the launch of the ‘clean Plateau, use the toilet’ campaign, an initiative that seeks to raise awareness about the importance of using sanitation.

 

“This aims to ending open defecation, which directly impacts water quality and human health.

 

“By promoting the use of toilets and improving sanitation practices, we can ensure the preservation of our valuable water sources, including glaciers and protecting our communities from water-borne diseases.

 

“To combat this ugly trend, we are doing everything to promote good hygiene practice particularly in our rural communities,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Bashir Lawandi, the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, called on the residents of the state to support government’s efforts towards ending open defecation and ensuring a more safety environment for all.

 

He maintained that the state government had initiated some policies and programmes aimed at promoting access to clean and safe water.

 

“Ending open defecation requires access to safe and clean water as sanitation facilities depend on the adequate water resources.

 

“The water treatment Plants in Langtang North, Bokkos and Wase Local Government Areas are currently under rehabilitation.

 

“Only recently, we commenced the rehabilitation of 300 hand-pump and 60 motorised boreholes in Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas.

 

“We are also constructing isolated water schemes in 13 communities in five LGAs of the state under the World Bank intervention,” he said.

 

Speaking, one of the partners in the programme, Dr Nelson Mkparu, the Chairman, Nelmaco Industries Ltd, called for collaborative efforts towards tackling the menace of open defecation in Plateau.

 

He promised to support government’s efforts in providing clean, safe and affordable water for the citizens of the state.

 

The World Water Day 2025, which falls on March 22, has as its theme “Glacier Preservation.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NAN/Oyenike Oyeniyi