The Plateau State Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) has officially commenced its 2026 field operations with a major sensitization exercise at Bukuru Market, reinforcing its commitment to promoting a cleaner and healthier environment across Plateau State.
The exercise, which marked the agency’s first outreach activity of the year, focused on educating traders and shop owners on proper waste disposal practices. PEPSA officials emphasized the importance of packaging refuse in polythene bags to ensure easy collection and timely evacuation by the agency’s waste management trucks.
As part of efforts to encourage compliance, PEPSA distributed polythene bags to traders. The gesture served both as a practical demonstration of acceptable waste management standards and as a goodwill initiative aimed at fostering cooperation.
The engagement was interactive and productive, with traders responding positively to the awareness campaign. Many expressed their willingness to adopt better sanitation habits, acknowledging the benefits of a cleaner market environment.
Market leaders also played an active role in the exercise, urging traders to embrace proper waste management as a collective responsibility that promotes public health and environmental sustainability.
Speaking during the sensitization, the Director of Administration at PEPSA, Mr. Izang Pate, disclosed that the agency would return to Bukuru Market in the coming weeks to assess the level of compliance with the guidelines issued.
He explained that while the current exercise was primarily designed to create awareness and encourage voluntary adherence, enforcement measures would be introduced where necessary to ensure lasting behavioural change.
According to him, “PEPSA remains committed to engaging communities and stakeholders to build a culture of proper sanitation. However, we will not hesitate to enforce relevant laws where compliance is not achieved.”
The successful outing at Bukuru Market sets a positive tone for PEPSA’s activities in 2026 and highlights the agency’s renewed focus on community engagement, environmental education, and sustainable sanitation practices.
With similar sensitization exercises planned for other markets and communities, PEPSA is determined to strengthen public participation in environmental protection and ensure a cleaner Plateau State for all.
