ODF status: Langtang-North records progress
PLAMWASSA completed a six-day follow-up visit across 64 communities in Langtang North Local Government Area to evaluate progress toward OD-Free status.
ODF STATUS: LANGTANG NORTH RECORDS PROGRESS
By Linda Dutse Yakubu Tangni
The Plateau State Municipal Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (PLAMWASSA) has completed a six-day second follow-up visit to 64 communities in Langtang North Local Government Area, with encouraging progress recorded in household toilet construction as the area works towards achieving Open Defecation-Free (ODF) status.
The exercise, which commenced on August 9, 2026, began with a planning meeting facilitated by Sanitarian Magdalene Jibrin, who took the team through the objectives and expectations of the assignment.
Over the six days, the team visited all 64 communities, engaging households, traditional leaders and ODF committee members to assess progress, identify challenges and encourage residents to sustain efforts towards ending open defecation.
A feedback meeting was held at the end of the exercise with ODF committee members from the communities. Discussions focused on the progress recorded, challenges encountered and practical steps needed to keep the momentum going.
The team reported that some households had completed new toilets, while others had commenced construction. Although the pace remains gradual, the progress was described as “slow but steady.”
The General Manager of PLAMWASSA, Mr. Jelkyes Dakat said the agency was encouraged by the commitment being demonstrated by communities.
“We are encouraged by the commitment we are seeing in Langtang North. Slow but steady progress is still progress. We must keep pushing until every household has a toilet.”
Also speaking, the Director of Sanitation, PLAMWASSA, Sanitarian Kangyang Timothy, said the progress showed that the ODF message was gradually taking root among community members.
“The fact that some people have started and some have finished shows that the message is getting in. I urge the ODF committees to keep mobilizing. Open defecation is a threat to our health, and we must end it.”
The exercise facilitator, Sanitarian Philip Gompang, noted that the second follow-up visit showed improvement compared with the previous exercise, stressing that sustained community engagement remained critical to achieving lasting behavioural change.
“This second follow-up has shown improvement from the last visit. We appeal to community members to sustain the effort so that Langtang North can achieve ODF status soon. Behavioural change does not happen suddenly.”
PLAMWASSA assured the communities that it would continue to provide technical support, monitoring and follow-up to encourage more households to complete their toilets and help Langtang North meet the requirements for ODF certification.