How Mr Samuel Dapiya changed the narrative of Environmental Sanitation in Plateau State

Just 5 days after taking over as Director General of the Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA), Mr Samuel Dapiya has changed the narrative of the concept of environmental sanitation in the State.

Within just 5 days, he has successfully engaged critical stakeholders, security agencies and others involved in sanitation in the state. On Saturday 24th February 2024, Mr Samuel Dapiya, in company of top government functionaries, magistrates and security led the charge into areas deemed as ‘no-go-areas’ in order to educate the public about the need for environmental sanitation and enforce same in line with the directives issued which mandated the general public to observe the sanitation by cleaning up their environment between 7:30am and 10am.

He began the journey from Gangagre, through Angwan Rukuba, Bauchi Ring Road, Farin Gada, Gada Biyu and Hill Station. Various shop owners, car wash owners, food vendors, car stands, Filling Stations, spare parts businessmen and other commuters who violated the restriction of Human and Vehicular movements were tried by mobile courts and sanctioned.

Speaking to Journalists shortly after the exercise Director General, Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) Mr Samuel Dapiya told journalists that the exercise was satisfactory, stressing that there were areas of improvement.

While responding on the question on the fact that some residents claimed ignorance of the sanitation, Mr Dapiya said that ignorance of the law is not an excuse to violate laws. He explained that defaulters were tried by magistrates in accordance with the law; penalities and sanctions were metted instantly.

Mr Dapiya further noted that lessons learnt from the February 24th 2024 Environmental Sanitation have been noted with the view to make improvements in subsequent sanitations. He hailed security agents for their dexterity during the enforcement, adding that enforcement of subsequent sanitations will be tougher and stricter across the 17 LGAs of Plateau State.

The DG PEPSA went on the enforcement with the Head of Civil Service Mrs Rauta Dakkok, Honorable Commissioner for Information Musa Ibrahim Ashom, General Manager, Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) Arch Hart Bankat, TIC Chairman Jos North LGA Hon Samuel Umaru and other government functionaries.