The national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, has attributed his refusal to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to his unwillingness to support a political arrangement that could turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Speaking when the management of Leadership Newspaper paid him a visit on Thursday, Dickson said the crisis and decline within his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, made him decide to establish a new political platform.

Reflecting on the political developments that led to the formation of the NDC, the former Bayelsa State governor stated that the decision was taken at a difficult period when the possibility of building a strong opposition party appeared uncertain.

According to him, the situation within the PDP influenced his decision to seek another political direction rather than move to the APC.

“I did not believe Nigeria should become a one-party state,” he said.

The lawmaker further attributed his decision to the need to preserve political competition and provide Nigerians with another platform through which they could participate in the democratic process.

He said that instead of joining an existing party, he and his political associates chose to build a new organisation that could compete with the ruling party, adding that the NDC had made considerable progress since its emergence.

“Months down the line, we have built a formidable party and a major opposition platform in Nigeria,” he added.

No functional toilet, no more excuses!

The Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) has commenced the final stage of its abatement notice process for households across Jos South Local Government Area that are yet to provide functional toilet facilities.

Under the SURWASH Programme, PEPSA says it has spent considerable time engaging communities and households, educating residents on the importance of proper sanitation, advocating for household-led toilet provision and working with community leaders and household representatives to improve compliance.

But the sanitation campaign has not been limited to education and enforcement.

PEPSA says it has also provided direct support to vulnerable households that faced difficulties in providing toilet facilities. In identified cases, the Agency constructed new toilets and upgraded existing facilities to help households meet basic sanitation requirements.

Despite these efforts, however, some households are still without functional toilet facilities.

🔴 NOW, PEPSA SAYS THE NEXT PHASE IS ENFORCEMENT.

The Agency has commenced the service of final abatement notices to affected households.

📌 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Households served with the notice have SEVEN DAYS from the date of service to provide a functional toilet facility and comply with the applicable sanitation requirements.

⏳ After the seven-day period expires, prosecution will commence against households that remain non-compliant, in accordance with the law.

PEPSA is therefore urging every affected household to take advantage of this final seven-day compliance window and act immediately.

The Agency says it has engaged, educated, advocated and provided support where necessary. With the final notices now being served, the process is moving from awareness and assistance to enforcement.

🏠 WHY THE EMPHASIS ON FUNCTIONAL TOILETS?

Proper toilet facilities are a basic requirement for a clean and healthy community. The absence or improper use of toilets can contribute to poor sanitation, environmental pollution and public health risks.

PEPSA is therefore calling on households that are yet to comply to take immediate steps before the deadline expires.

⚠️ SEVEN DAYS.

After that, households that remain non-compliant could face prosecution under the applicable law.

PEPSA’S MESSAGE IS CLEAR:

👉 Every household must have a functional toilet.
👉 The final compliance period is now running.
👉 Non-compliance after the deadline will attract enforcement action.

Compliance is no longer optional.

Samuel Nathaniel Dapiya
Director General
Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA)