News
I can’t stand the health hazards of open defecation, says Mutfwang
Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang said his administration has taken a firm stand against open defecation, saying, “I can’t stand the health implications of open defecation in my state.”
He promised that the state would do all it takes by providing clean and potable water supply and sanitation facilities.
Speaking on the occasion of the commemoration of the 2025 World Water Day with the theme, “Glacier Preservation”, in Jos on Friday, put together in partnership with Nelmaco Industries Limited, the governor said that not only does the practice of open defecation poses serious health risks but also contaminates the state’s water sources.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Nicholas Bamlong, said that more than ever before, the state is committed to protecting the environment which is under threat due to climate change.
He said, “Here in Plateau State, we recognise the significance of protecting our environment and natural resources. We will continue to work towards reducing our carbon footprints and promoting sustainable practices.
“Another critical issue we must address is open defecation. It’s unacceptable that in this day and age, many of our citizens still lack access to proper sanitation facilities, hence our ranking as the second state in the practice of open defecation.
“To combat this as a government, we have vowed to change the narrative by intensifying our efforts towards creating an enabling environment to provide clean water and sanitation facilities to all citizens…
“Some of our strategies will include: Sustained Improving Water Supply: We have taken immediate steps to introduce the renewable energy to power the facilities of Plateau State Water Supply Agencies for sustainable access to water supply across the State and promoting sanitation and hygiene practices in collaboration with World bank Sustainable Urban Rural water supply and sanitation and hygiene under the SURWARH programme in rural small town and urban areas of Plateau State and supporting the construction of toilets and sanitation facilities within those jurisdictions.
Chairman, Nelmaco Industries Limited, Dr. Nelson Uba Mkparu, pledged the cooperation of his organisation readiness to live up to the United Nations Standard by ensuring that Plateau State continues to have access to clean water.
A highlight of the occasion was the signing of commitment by representatives of the 17 local government areas to end open defecation in their different localities.
According to him, such financial mishandling not only disrupts critical public services and projects but also results in major losses to the nation’s purse—resources that could have been channelled into crucial services and developmental efforts, as laid out in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution.
Speaker Abbas, thereafter setup a Special Committee to be chaired by Rep. Chinedu Martins to immediately launch a probe into the “Utilisation of take-off grants, bailout funds, and interventions allocated to MDAs, government institutions, and GOEs from 2015 to present.”
The FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, expressed satisfaction with the progress on the Abuja light rail project, reaffirming its May 29 delivery as sacrosanct.
He made these assurances after inspecting the ongoing construction of access roads to the train stations on Wednesday, from Metro Train Station in the Central Area to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Reassuring journalists accompanying him, the minister reiterated that President Bola Tinubu would commission the rail project on May 29 to mark his second year in office.
The visited stations were Wupa station near Idu and Bassanjiwa station near the airport.
“This is part of our routine inspection of ongoing projects to see the contractors’ progress,” Wike explained.
“We are working day and night to fulfill our promise to President Tinubu and FCT residents. By May, Mr. President will ride on the Metro line.”
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen are currently invading some communities in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to sources, the herdsmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed the community around 04:15pm on Thursday.
“Our lives are in danger this evening, armed Fulani herdsmen, about 600 in numbers have taken over our communities this evening,” a resident told SaharaReporters.
“They’re currently moving around towns in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue state. No security personnel at all, Governor Alia didn’t send security, they said operation will start soon once they (herders) have observed the place.”
The insecurity situation in Benue has been alarming in recent weeks with attacks from gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
The media had reported that suspected herdsmen again unleashed terror in Benue State, attacking three communities in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) on Wednesday, just a day after 11 people were killed in a deadly raid on Otobi community.
The latest victims of the escalating violence were Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju, communities that had previously suffered an attack in February, which left five people dead.
However, the renewed attack has created fear and mass displacement among residents, with women and children fleeing to safety.
Local sources say the death toll from the fresh attack remains unclear, but several casualties are feared.
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