Commissioner cautions Plateau residents against open defecation

Engr. David Wuyep, the Plateau State Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, has cautioned residents of the state against indiscriminate open defecation.
Wuyep gave the warning on Thursday in Jos, at a one day-workshop, on Plateau State Water Sector Law/Water Resources and Sanitation Policy organised for stakeholders.
He said as part of effort to ensure that the state achieve a 100 per cent free open defecation in line with its policy, the government has provided toilets in most public places such as markets and motor parks.
The commissioner called on house owners to ensure that they provide toilets facilities in their quarters.
He said: “Henceforth, the Urban Development Agency will not allow any building to be erected in the Jos/Bukuru metropolis once it’s void of toilets.’’
Wuyep encouraged those in the rural areas to make use of latrines and for those who can afford it to construct Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines.
He said the water and sanitation policy and water bill that was before the State House of Assembly, has a provision for penalties for those who engaged in open defecation and erecting buildings without toilets.
He said the penalty is to ensure total enforcement.
Wuyep said that the government was about to completing the water cycle, which entails supplying potable water and taking away waste from the water.
He said the government uses the fecal sludge evacuation in its treatment plants.
He said that the aim of the workshop was to make stakeholders aware of the water sector law and water resources and sanitation policy, so that they can hold the government accountable.