Ending Open Defecation: Plateau State Government commends Church for donating Public Toilet

Open defecation has become a subject of concern within the global community, especially in Africa. According to findings from the 2021 WASH NORM report, approximately 48 million Nigerians still engage in open defecation and only 8% of the population practice clean handwashing. Furthermore, 23% of Nigerians lack access to basic water supply services, and only 10% have access to a combination of basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

Inadequate sanitation is a major contributor to disease transmission globally, yet appropriate hygiene and sanitation practices have been shown to positively affect public health.

In line with this, the Director General of the Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) Mr Samuel Dapiya has commended the Pastor and members of The True Worshipers Assembly for constructing and donated a Public Toilet to the Plateau State Government in Kyan Rikkos area of Jos North LGA of the state.

The DG PEPSA made this known while commissioning two Public Toilets provided by the worship center on Thursday 9th May 2024 on behalf of the Government of Plateau State. He said “So we’re here to identify with The Truth Worshippers Assembly here located right by Plateau Private School. To identify as a government with this church, and also to commend them for this great project and task that they use their funds to do. Not a naira or 50 kobo of government was put into this project…What have they done? They have provided two toilets, properly furnished and finished for public use”.

The DG PEPSA highlighted that Plateau currently has a very poor ranking in the National Open Defecation statistics and projects like what has been done by this church will help end open defecation and improve the state’s rating. He called on other Churches, Mosques, Business owners and other spirited individuals to emulate what the ‘True Worshipers Assembly’ have done.

“Plateau is the second in Nigeria practicing open defecation with 56%. But projects like this would help reduce the rates of open defecation practice in Plateau…If every community, every church, every mosque, every business, big business owner or even small, can be as responsible as what this church has done, I can assure you that the rate of open defecation on the plateau would have gone down drastically. So we’re here to encourage and identify with this community and also with the church and this toilet provided are for public use. And you can see them properly labeled. One is for female, the other is for male.”

Earlier in his remark, Pastor of ‘The True Worshipers Assembly’ Shola Olujibi in company of his lovely wife while presenting two finishing and furnished toilets to the Plateau State Government explained the motivation for the project. He said “In line with the vision of the world environmentalist as well as Plateau State Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency. So that is our how this vision came about. And I was now prompted to write right to your agency, the plateau environmental protection and sanitation agency…So that is how it came about. And I’m happy today. It has become a reality.”

Also speaking at the brief ceremony, on behalf of the community, the Village Head Chief Ishaku Igyen who was represented by Mr Musa Markus thanked the church for their gift to the community, adding that the traditional institution will protect the facility and ensure sustainability.