The Plateau State Government has commenced clearing of drainages within the Jos – Bukuru Metropolis. This according to government will help clear the water channels to prevent flooding when the rainy commences is full.
The exercise was flagged off by the Director General of the Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) Mr Samuel Dapiya on Saturday 30th March 2024. Mr Dapiya who was flanked by the management of the agency flagged of the exercise in front of the ECWA Goodnews Church Amadu Below Jos.
The Director General of the Plateau in Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA), Mr Samuel Dapiya, said that “…this project is very, very important because we’re trying to make Plateau very safe, make Plateau very clean for Plateau people and also to mitigate the issue of flooding, you know, and part of why we’re here also is to show Plateau people that we can own this process”.
“Government is a limited resource, as I always say, government cannot distill all the gutters. We can do the major drainages. And as you can see, we have over 120 men that engage in this community project. And part of the plan is to ensure that for each community, we drag the community members, most especially the young people within those communities, since they are part of those responsible for generating waste. We intend to have them also participate. In the clearance of these drainages. And also I would also want to use this opportunity to thank the people behind me, all the young people and. Even the elderly that have volunteered to participate in today’s project that has just kick started. It’s going to take over a week. About ten days with…”
Mr Dapiya recognized businesses like the Net Cafe’ and Onigbide Stores that have in the past consistently evacuated their gutters without even the help of the government. “These are participations and partnerships that we look forward to. If every business, including this church behind me”.
Mr Dapiya appreciated the Governor of Plateau State for the leadership and support in executing the mandate of PEPSA. “…I would want to use this opportunity to thank his Excellency, Barrister Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang this opportunity to pilot the affairs of this state and also for the purposeful leadership he has provided and is also providing for us. To execute this kind of project. “
“So basically for us, part of what PEPSA has been doing since I came was to increase the level of advocacy and community involvement in some of those things.
Because if people are involved, the level of waste you see here wouldn’t be here”.
General Manager of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) Arch Hart Bankat who was present to support the DG PEPSA and also participate in exercise stressed the need for collaboration in keep Jos clean. “Like we’ve always maintained, it’s a collaboration and not competition. We believe that by the time they are able to do this, it’s going to decongest the town and it’s going to ease the flow of water. When the rainy season setting and the issues of flow we are anticipating, we hope that by the special grace of God, will be controlled by proper drainages.”
“Just like the DG PEPSA has said, it’s for the responsibility of everybody to make sure that we take this as our own. Government shouldn’t be the only agency seen to be able to come out to clear these things.”
“As much as the dirts are there and the waste is there to be evacuated, it is also our responsibility to make sure we don’t dump them wrongly. And if each of us takes responsibility just to clear the drainages in front of our own residence, businesses, and then areas we occupy will go a long way in reducing all this. Government alone cannot do it. So everybody has to take responsibility and make sure that we do it appropriately.”.
Director Waste PEPSA, Mrs Naomi Longlam pointed out that the exercise was also to mark the International Day for Zero waste. She called for concerted efforts to minimize the high volume of waste within Jos and Bukuru metropolis to promote cleanliness and healthy living in the state. “PEPSA staff and members of the community are all here working together to keep a clean environment. We need to clean our drainage system to prevent flooding issues within the Jos and Bukuru metropolis”
This according to the Director will also help prevent outbreaks like cholera and dysentery. She emphasized that outbreaks of these diseases are as a result of the issue of keeping waste littered in the environment.
“And you see PEPSA is coming to evacuate this waste, load into the Dano bin and transport it to the final disposal site. So we need to keep plateau clean in all the things that we are doing. After this terminus area, we still move to other areas for this same exercise.”
The North Central Zonal Director of NESREA, Mr Apia Jude who was present to support PEPSA DG and GM JMDB emphasized the need for prosper awareness to environmental issues as they affect everyone.
