In a significant move to address the state’s water and sanitation challenges, the Plateau State Government on Friday marked the 2025 World Water Day with the launch of “Clean Plateau: Use the Toilet Campaign.”

Arewa PUNCH reports that “The Clean Plateau: Use the Toilet Campaign” aims to promote behavioral change, increase access to sanitation facilities, and improve hygiene practices across the state and eventually end open defecation practice in the state.

The event, held in Jos, the state capital, was attended by several dignitaries, including Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Ba’amlong, the representatives from the UNICEF, and the Federal Government, among others

While launching the project, the governor emphasised the importance of proper sanitation and hygiene practices in maintaining public health and preventing water-borne diseases.

He noted that the state’s high rate of open defecation, with over 50 per cent of the population practising it, poses significant health risks.

Therefore, he reiterated the state’s commitment to achieving an open-defecation-free status by 2030, aligning with the national Clean Nigeria campaign.

“It is unacceptable that in this era and age that many of our citizens still do not have access to water and sanitation, hence, our ranking as the second state in Nigeria in the highest place of open defecation.’’

“As a government ,we have vowed to change the narrative by intensifying our efforts towards creating an enabling environment to provide clean water and sanitation facilities to all our citizens.

“We will continue to work with the local governments, our communities, and development partners to ensure that everyone has access to a safe and healthy environment,” Mutfwang assured the residents.”

The UNICEF representative, Dr. Nuhzat Rafique commended the state government’s efforts to prioritise water, sanitation, and hygiene, highlighting the critical role these play in reducing child mortality and promoting overall well-being.



https://punchng.com/plateau-campaigns-against-open-defecation/