22/08/2025
PEPSA VISITS BARKIN LADI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL, GIFTS ROLLING BINS
The Barkin Ladi Local Government Council yesterday, 20th August 2025, played host to the Director-General of Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency-PEPSA , Samuel Dapiya Samuel Nathaniel Dapiya , and members of his management team, including Director Administration, Izang Dauda; Director Enforcement, Pam Barnabas; Director Waste Management, Naomi Lohnan; Director Supply, Victoria Sylvanus; and Administration Staff, Mr. Danyam, alongside the Personal Assistant to the Director-General.
During the meeting, the Director-General of PEPSA highlighted the agency's core responsibilities, which include environmental protection, waste management, and sanitation. He expressed his pleasure at being in Barkin Ladi and conveyed his desire to expand PEPSA's activities beyond Jos-Bukuru metropolis. Samuel Dapiya emphasized that the agency's objectives align with the state government's vision, as articulated by His Excellency, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, to ensure the prosperity of Plateau State's citizens by providing a healthy environment.
The Director-General requested the local government's cooperation in reviving the culture of monthly sanitation exercises, generating revenue, and sensitizing the populace on environmental ownership. He also appealed for the provision of a dumpsite for proper waste management and urged the council to join the fight against open defecation, a challenge that unfortunately sees Plateau State ranked second in Nigeria. Furthermore, he highlighted the issue of deforestation and indiscriminate tree felling, advocating for the sensitization of residents on replacing trees cut down and allocating areas for tree planting to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In response, the Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, Honorable Stephen Gyang Pwajok, welcomed the PEPSA management team and acknowledged the strategic importance of Barkin Ladi in maintaining a clean and beautiful environment, given its location as the host of the local airport and gateway to the state capital. He thanked the state government for the trees planted along the road from the airport to Maraban Jama'a and informed the team about ongoing efforts to create drainage systems along federal roads prone to flooding. The Chairman expressed his commitment to reactivating monthly sanitation exercises, providing a dumpsite, and allocating areas for tree planting, which would be managed by PEPSA. He also encouraged collaboration and assured the agency of his open-door policy.
As a gesture of goodwill, PEPSA gifted the local government two rolling bins, which were presented to the Chairman. The meeting was attended by key council officials, including Joshua Chong, Secretary to the Local Government Council; David Nwanshak, Director of Personnel Management; Philomina Teel, Director of Finance; and Simon Pam, Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman.
Mercy Yop Chuwang
Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman
Barkin Ladi Local Government Council
