The Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) has intensified its flood response efforts across Jos, with ongoing desilting and drainage clearance exercises aimed at improving the free flow of stormwater and reducing the impact of flash flooding in vulnerable communities.

As part of the intervention, the Director General of the Agency, Mr Samuel Dapiya conducted an inspection of critical locations to assess conditions on the ground and coordinate immediate response efforts following recent rainfall.

One of the sites visited was the drainage corridor from Miango Junction to Educare Private School, where PEPSA personnel carried out extensive desilting and clearing of drainage channels that had become filled with sand and other debris. According to the Agency, the intervention is expected to improve the discharge of stormwater, while the area will continue to be monitored after subsequent rainfall to determine whether additional engineering or environmental measures may be required.

The response team also moved to Lugard Road by UTC, where a major culvert had become blocked, restricting the flow of water and causing floodwater to overflow onto the road. The situation resulted in traffic congestion and affected the movement of motorists, businesses, and other road users until the blockage was cleared.

Speaking during the exercise, PEPSA noted that while heavy rainfall is a natural occurrence, the condition of drainage channels plays a significant role in how effectively stormwater is conveyed. The Agency observed that drains and culverts function best when they remain free of obstructions, allowing water to flow without restriction.

PEPSA reiterated that protecting drainage infrastructure is a shared responsibility, urging residents, businesses, and motorists to adopt proper waste disposal practices and make use of designated community waste collection or drop-off points rather than disposing of refuse in drainage channels, culverts, waterways, or open spaces.

The Agency also encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and report activities that may obstruct drainage systems or pose risks to the environment, emphasizing that collective action is essential to maintaining a cleaner, safer, and healthier Plateau State.

PEPSA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives, property, and public infrastructure through timely environmental interventions and sustained sanitation efforts, while calling on all residents to partner with the Agency in promoting responsible environmental practices across the state.

The federal government has recruited no fewer than 37,000 health workers across its health institutions since 2023, a statement from the health ministry has said.

The statement signed by the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako, said that the recruitment, alongside the training of 70,000 frontline workers, was aimed at improving service delivery.

It said that the government had also approved Nigeria’s National Policy on Health Workforce Migration to address the growing challenge of skilled health professionals leaving the country.

According to Mr Bako, the policy is designed to improve workforce planning, strengthen retention and promote ethical recruitment.

“These actions are supported by the National Health Workforce Registry and continued investments in specialist training and workforce development,” he added.

He also highlighted progress under the revised Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF 2.0), describing it as a key driver of improved primary healthcare delivery.

He said the federal government had approved N32.9 billion under the revised framework to support no fewer than 8,300 Primary Health Centres, with expansion ongoing to have 13,000 facilities nationwide.

According to him, the government’s health reforms have contributed to 80 million patient visits, while over 21 million vulnerable Nigerians have accessed healthcare through the Vulnerable Groups Health Insurance Fund.

He added that disease surveillance and outbreak preparedness were also being strengthened through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention gateway under the BHCPF.

On access to medicines, the ministry said the government was expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing through the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain.

“The objective is simple: strengthen local production, improve medicine security and make essential medicines more available and affordable for Nigerians,” he said.

Mr Bako said the reforms also covered investments in health infrastructure, maternal and newborn health, emergency preparedness, digital health systems and accountability.

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He said that as of the 2025 Joint Annual Review, 84 per cent of the key performance indicators under the Presidential Health Sector Renewal Compact had been achieved.

According to him, while significant challenges remain, the government has continued to pursue sustained reforms rather than deny existing gaps.

“Nigeria’s health sector still faces significant challenges, and government has never suggested otherwise.

“Lasting reforms, however, are measured not by rhetoric, but by sustained action, transparent implementation and measurable results,” he said.

The statement reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with healthcare professionals, civil society, development partners, the private sector and everyone to build a stronger and more resilient health system.

“Our mandate remains clear: save lives, reduce both physical and financial pain, and improve the health and well-being of all Nigerians,” the statement said.

(NAN)