- The agency knows the danger open defecation can cause to the entire population
To prevent the spread of cholera, the Plateau State Government has declared war on open defecation.
While no cholera cases have been reported in Plateau, the government is keeping a close eye on the situation due to outbreaks elsewhere. The outbreak began over a month ago and has spread to 33 states.
During a press conference in Jos, Samuel Nathaniel Dapak, Director General of the Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA), stated that the state was aware of the cholera outbreak and was concerned that it would spread to the state if preventive measures were not implemented.
He stated, “We have launched an extensive preventive campaign throughout the state.” We have identified open defecation as one of the fastest ways for the disease to break out and spread.
“The agency knows the danger open defecation can cause to the entire population, and that is why we decided to stimulate awareness on public toilets and their usage. Our current focus is on ensuring the availability of public toilets even before promoting their availability in all households.”
Gyel community in Jos South LGA is the first to declare zero tolerance for open defecation, setting a precedent for other communities in the state.
Dapak highlighted the success in Gyel and planned to replicate such across the state.