The Plateau State Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) has commenced the development of two landmark institutional frameworks aimed at strengthening environmental governance, improving sanitation service delivery, and promoting sustainable behaviour change across Plateau State.
The initiative, officially launched during an inception meeting at the Agency’s headquarters, will produce the Plateau State Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Guidelines and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for PEPSA Operations. The consultancy is being led by Lead Technical Consultant, Herbert Gomagallah Daniel, with the support of a multidisciplinary team of experts.
Speaking at the inception meeting, the Director General of PEPSA, Samuel Nathaniel Dapiya, described the exercise as a major institutional reform designed to strengthen the Agency’s systems and improve service delivery. He explained that the SBCC Guidelines will provide a practical framework for promoting positive sanitation behaviours among households, schools, businesses, markets, transport operators, institutions, and communities across the State.
According to him, sustainable environmental sanitation cannot be achieved through infrastructure and law enforcement alone, but also requires continuous public engagement and behaviour change. He added that the Guidelines will standardize sanitation messaging, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, encourage community participation, and ensure communication strategies are inclusive and culturally appropriate.
On the development of the Standard Operating Procedures, the Director General said the SOPs will establish clear operational processes, improve accountability, define staff responsibilities, strengthen coordination across departments, and preserve institutional knowledge. He emphasized that the goal is to build an institution driven by effective systems rather than individuals.
Presenting the consultancy approach, Lead Technical Consultant Herbert Gomagallah Daniel said the assignment will adopt a participatory and evidence-based process involving consultations with management, technical staff, field officers, local government representatives, development partners, and other key stakeholders. He noted that the project will also include staff capacity development, implementation tools, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and validation processes to ensure ownership and sustainability.
He added that while the SBCC Guidelines will provide a unified framework for transforming sanitation into a shared social responsibility, the SOPs will simplify workflows, improve coordination, strengthen accountability, and provide practical standards that enhance operational efficiency across the Agency.
Upon completion, the two frameworks are expected to strengthen PEPSA’s institutional capacity, improve coordination with key stakeholders, enhance public confidence, and provide a model for environmental sanitation and behaviour change communication in Nigeria. The initiative also aligns with the Plateau State Government’s commitment to improving environmental governance, advancing public health, promoting sustainable sanitation practices, and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation.
