The Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) hosted a high-level delegation from the World Bank Group as part of an assessment visit to ongoing water, sanitation and hygiene interventions being implemented in Plateau State under the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme.

The delegation, led by the Global Director for Water at the World Bank, Saroji Kumar Jha, and the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, visited the state to review progress made in the sanitation and hygiene sector and to formally witness the handover of sanitation facilities constructed under the programme.

Speaking during the visit, the Director General of PEPSA, Samuel Dapiya stated that the ongoing fight against open defecation in Plateau State is based on a standing mandate given by the State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, directing the agency to take deliberate and practical steps toward ending open defecation across the state through sustained social and behavioural change campaigns, promotion of household toilet construction and use, and inclusive sanitation interventions that ensure vulnerable members of society are not left behind.

The Director General explained that the Governor’s political will has continued to guide sanitation reforms in the state and has strengthened the implementation of the SURWASH Programme, a World Bank-supported initiative being carried out in selected states across Nigeria, with Plateau State among the participating states due to its demonstrated commitment to improving water, sanitation and hygiene services.

As part of the activities reviewed during the visit, PEPSA presented progress recorded in community-led sanitation efforts in Jos South Local Government Area, where more than 200 household toilets have been constructed or upgraded in eight communities through behaviour-change campaigns and community participation.

Under the Institutional WASH component of the programme, the agency has also constructed 27 sanitation facilities in schools and primary healthcare centres to provide safer and more hygienic environments for pupils, patients and residents.

The World Bank delegation expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded so far and commended the Plateau State Government for the commitment shown toward achieving improved sanitation outcomes.

PEPSA noted that while Nigeria’s national target for ending open defecation is 2030, the Plateau State Government has set a more ambitious target of 2028, with officials expressing confidence that the goal is achievable with sustained government support, continued partnership with the World Bank, and active participation from communities.

PEPSA added that the formal handover of the sanitation facilities and the positive feedback from the assessment visit serve as encouragement to sustain ongoing efforts aimed at protecting public health, restoring environmental dignity, and ensuring that Plateau State becomes one of the leading states in Nigeria to end open defecation.