By Asile Abel, Jos
The Plateau State Government has launched a campaign tagged “Clean Plateau: Use the Toilet Campaign” to commemorate 2025 World Water Day in Jos, the state capital.
The event, held at Eliel Event Center, Gold and Base, Rayfield Jos, featured a campaign walk from Air Force Roundabout to the venue. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other stakeholders in the water sector attended the event.
Plateau State Launches “Clean Use of the Toilet Campaign”
Governor Mutfwang, represented by Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, the Commissioner for Health, emphasized the importance of preserving water sources and protecting the environment and natural resources for the benefit of all Plateau citizens.
He stated that it is unacceptable for citizens to lack access to proper defecation facilities, which is critical. The state has taken steps to sustain water supply across local governments and promote sanitation and hygiene through Water and Sanitation officers in collaboration with the World Bank.
In a goodwill message, Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy Bashir Lawandi outlined strategies to address the water and sanitation crisis in the state. These include releasing funds for the rehabilitation of water treatment plants and strengthening Water and Sanitation activities across local government areas.
The theme for this year’s World Water Day was Glacier Preservation
According to the National Coordinator of the Clean Nigeria Campaign, Chizoma Opara, 14 million Nigerians practice open defecation, with Plateau State accounting for 56% of open defecation cases, second only to Ebonyi State. The Clean Nigeria Campaign Coordinator urged stakeholders to take ownership of the campaign to achieve its goals.
Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, noted that Plateau State is five years behind in the campaign, which initially aimed to end open defecation by 2025.
However, she expressed optimism that with the campaign’s launch, Plateau State will achieve an open defecation-free status by 2030. Two local government areas, Riyom and Shendam, are nearing open defecation-free status.
The Speaker of the House of Assembly, represented by House Committee Chairman on Water Resources Hon. Owen Dagogol, urged the people to become ambassadors of Clean Plateau. He appealed to all MDAs to implement budgeted initiatives.
Panelists attributed cultural norms and economic factors to open defecation and proposed solutions. Experts suggested that buildings should not be approved without sufficient toilets, and community and religious leaders should champion the campaign. The theme for this year’s World Water Day was “Glacier Preservation”.
