PRESS STATEMENT
The Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) has commenced the issuance of final abatement notices to households across Jos South Local Government Area that do not have functional toilet facilities.
The action follows a sustained sanitation compliance campaign implemented under the SURWASH Programme, during which PEPSA engaged communities and households through public sensitisation, education, advocacy and meetings with community leaders and household representatives.
As part of the process, households were encouraged to take responsibility for providing and maintaining proper toilet facilities. The Agency also identified vulnerable households facing difficulties in meeting the requirement and provided support through the construction of new toilets and the upgrading of existing facilities.
These interventions were designed to ensure that households had the information, opportunity and necessary support to meet the required sanitation standards.
Despite these efforts, some households remain without functional toilet facilities, prompting the Agency to move to the final stage of its compliance process.
The final abatement notices provide affected households with seven days from the date of service to provide a functional toilet facility and meet the applicable sanitation requirements.
Households that remain non-compliant after the expiration of the seven-day notice period will face prosecution in accordance with the law.
PEPSA is therefore urging all affected households to take immediate action and use the final compliance window to provide functional toilet facilities.
The Agency has engaged, sensitised, advocated and provided support where necessary. The next stage is enforcement.
Upon the expiration of the notice period, PEPSA will commence enforcement of the applicable sanitation standards across the affected communities in accordance with the law.
Every household must have a functional toilet. Compliance is now mandatory.
Samuel Nathaniel Dapiya
Director General
Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA)
