Plateau State Government Launches “Clean Plateau: Use the Toilet Campaign” commits to end Open Defecation 

Plateau State Government has launched a campaign tagged” Clean Plateau: Use the Toilet Campaign” with a commitment to end open defecation by 2030. This was disclosed on Friday 21st March, 2025 at an event to commemorate 2025 World Water Day in Jos, the State capital.

The event which was held at Eliel Event Center, Jos, after a campaign walk from Air force roundabout to the venue had the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang as well as other stakeholders in the Water Sector within and outside Plateau State in attendance.

Speaking at the event, Governor Caleb Mutfwang emphasized the need to preserve water sources in the state,protect the environment and natural resources for the benefits of all Plateau citizens.

Represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, Governor stressed that it was unacceptable that the citizens lack access to responsible toilet facilities.

He said the state haas taken steps to sustain water supply across local governments, promote sanitation and hygiene through Water and Sanitation officers in collaboration with World Bank and other critical stakeholders.

In his welcoming remark, the Honorable Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Hon Bashir Lawandi, enumerated some of the strategies adopted to address water and sanitation crisis in the state and to achieve the clean Plateau, use the toilet campaign.

The strategies include the release of funds by the state government for the rehabilitation of water treatment plants across the state and the strengthening of Water and Sanitation activities across the local government areas of the state.

In her remark, the National Coordinator of Clean Nigeria Campaign, Chizoma Opara said that 48 million Nigerians practice open defecation and that Plateau State second state in the country behind Ebonyi State in the practice of open defecation.

Represented by Mr. Abu Godwin, the Clean Nigeria Campaign Coordinator urged all stakeholders to take ownership of the campaign to achieve the set goal.

Also speaking at the event, thr Bauchi Field Officer of UNICEF, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique said that Plateau State is 5 years behind in the campaign as the initial campaign is to end open defecation in 2025, but was optimistic that with the launch of the campaign, by 2030 Plateau State will gather and congratulate themselves for achieving an open defecation free state.

She said 2 LGAs in Plateau State namely , Riyom and Shendam respectively are almost on the way to being open defecation free.

Speaker House of Assembly, Rt Hon Gabriel Kudangbena Dewan urged the people of plateau state to be the ambassadors of clean Plateau. Represented by the Chairman House Committee on Water Resources, Hon. Owen Dagogol, the Speaker appealed to all MDAs to implement those things they brought to the house which were passed in the 2025 budget.

The Honorable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Ephraim Usman was also represented by a staff of the ministry at the event.

There was a display by cultural troupe from Tudun Wada, one of the communities with acute water scarcity in Jos, creating awareness on what need to be done to achieve the desired goal.

High points of the event was the signing of the commitment to end open defecation by 2030 in Plateau State by the representatives of the 17 LGAs.

There was a panel discussion where fhe panelists attributed Cultural norms, economic factors as some of the reasons for open defecation and also proffer solutions in addressing the menace.

Expert also suggested that no building should be approved without a sufficient toilet by the authority concerns and also called on community and religious leaders to champion the campaign.

The theme for this year’s World Water Day was “Glacier Preservation”.