By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) has condemned the obstruction and threats faced by some of its personnel while carrying out a market sanitation exercise around the Chorbe/Yankaji area of Jos.
The sanitation exercise was part of the agency’s routine responsibility to ensure that public spaces, markets and areas where food and other essential commodities are handled meet acceptable sanitation and environmental health standards.
A statement signed and issued to newsmen in Jos on Thursday by the Director of Administration for the Director-General, Mr Izang D. Pate, said the exercise was conducted alongside market leaders as part of ongoing efforts to engage stakeholders and ensure that sanitation responsibilities are understood and carried out by market operators.
The statement said the Yankaji area, which serves as an important location for the preparation and sale of meat to residents of Plateau State, had raised significant sanitation and environmental health concerns.
It said that despite repeated attention to the need for proper sanitation, operators of the Yankaji market had not adequately cleaned up their premises.
According to the statement, when PEPSA personnel arrived to carry out the sanitation exercise and discharge their lawful responsibilities, market operators stopped them from carrying out the work.
The situation reportedly escalated, with the officials subjected to threats and intimidation, requiring security personnel to intervene and safely evacuate the PEPSA team and market union officials from the premises.
The agency said that in the process of evacuating PEPSA personnel from the area, one person sustained an injury and was receiving medical attention in hospital.
It added that the injured person was being properly cared for and that the agency was monitoring the situation.
PEPSA described the development as deeply concerning, stressing that government officials carrying out lawful duties should not be subjected to intimidation, threats or mob action.
The agency said society could not function effectively when individuals or groups prevented public officers from performing responsibilities established by law.
It acknowledged that sanitation enforcement could sometimes generate disagreements or require engagement with affected individuals and businesses.
However, it said such disagreements should be addressed through dialogue and established legal channels rather than through threats, intimidation or physical obstruction.
PEPSA therefore called on traders, market leaders, residents and all stakeholders to remain calm and refrain from actions that could further escalate the situation.
The agency urged the public to remain calm and allow the relevant authorities to address the matter appropriately.
PEPSA also appreciated the security personnel who responded to the situation and helped secure the safe evacuation of its staff.
The agency said it would continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities across Plateau State, stressing that the protection of public health and the environment could not be compromised.
It added that it would not allow acts of intimidation or mob action to undermine lawful sanitation and environmental protection activities.
The agency urged members of the public, market leaders and operators to cooperate with government officials and support efforts aimed at creating cleaner, safer and healthier communities.