The Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) has issued a stern warning to restaurant operators in Jos who have failed to comply with environmental sanitation directives aimed at addressing improper wastewater disposal and inadequate drainage systems.
In an enforcement notice signed by the Director of Administration, Izang D. Pate, on behalf of the Director General, the agency disclosed the outcome of a recent inspection exercise conducted on selected restaurants within the Jos metropolis.
According to PEPSA, the inspection targeted establishments that had previously been served abatement notices for environmental violations related to wastewater management and drainage infrastructure.
The agency stated that the exercise covered two restaurants in Rayfield, one around Old Airport Junction, and another along Beach Road in Jos, with the aim of assessing compliance with earlier directives.
Findings from the inspection revealed that the restaurants located around Old Airport Junction and Beach Road had made appreciable progress toward compliance. PEPSA noted that construction work on soakaway pits and other wastewater management facilities was already underway at the affected premises.
However, the agency expressed concern that the two restaurants in Rayfield had yet to comply with the abatement directives despite being given sufficient notice.
PEPSA explained that the affected businesses were specifically directed to construct properly designed soakaway pits with covered slabs to ensure the safe disposal and channeling of wastewater in accordance with approved environmental sanitation standards.
The agency emphasized that improper wastewater disposal poses serious threats to public health and environmental safety. Such practices, it noted, can lead to contamination of surrounding areas, blockage of drainage channels, offensive odours, and the creation of breeding grounds for disease-carrying vectors.
“These conditions endanger customers, staff, and the wider community and are therefore unacceptable under existing environmental regulations,” the notice stated.
PEPSA further stressed that environmental sanitation is a collective responsibility requiring cooperation between government agencies, businesses, and residents. While regulatory agencies are tasked with monitoring and enforcing compliance, the agency said the success of such efforts depends largely on the willingness of stakeholders to adhere to established standards.
The agency reiterated that compliance with environmental sanitation laws is mandatory for all business operators and urged affected establishments to take advantage of the remaining period within their abatement notices to rectify the identified violations.
It warned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe would attract strict enforcement measures as provided under relevant environmental sanitation laws and regulations.
PEPSA also vowed to apply the full weight of the law against any premises that continue to operate in defiance of lawful environmental directives.
Describing the notice as both a final reminder and a call to immediate action, the agency urged business owners to prioritize environmental responsibility and public health.
The agency maintained that continued non-compliance would not only attract sanctions but also undermine efforts to maintain a clean, safe, and sustainable environment across Plateau State.
