By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government in collaboration with stakeholders in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector of the state have adopted the Climate Resilient Faecal Sludge implementation strategy document, covering from 2025 to 2030 as part of efforts to achieve an open defecation free status in the state.
The Climate Resilient Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) Implementation Strategy for Bauchi State, is a comprehensive plan designed to operationalize the FSM while considering the challenges posed by climate change, developed by the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) that aims to create a sustainable and resilient FSM sectors in Bauchi State.
During a validation workshop of the Climate Resilient faecal sludge management implementation strategy for Bauchi State that held at the Chartwell hotel in Bauchi, which was organized by the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency(RUWASSA) with support from UNICEF and other development partners, the stakeholders validated the findings contained in the document that will serve as an operational guideline for all service providers and other stakeholders within the Faecal Sludge management value chain in the state.
Speaking at the validation workshop, the Chief of Field Office UNICEF Nigeria Bauchi, Dr Tushar Rane stated that the strategy outlines key milestones that aligns with the state priorities to
safeguard a clean and healthy environment.
He added that the implementation of the strategy will commence with the formation of the taskforce, development of detailed guidelines for the design, operation and maintenance of
treatment facilities and conducting capacity assessments.
He also said that the strategy is structured around eight pillars, which will collectively aims to strengthen institutional frameworks, ensure sustainable financing for climate-resilient infrastructure, empower stakeholders, establish robust
monitoring and evaluation mechanisms as well as promote widespread awareness in sludge management.
According to him, “At this point, it is important to highlight that Bauchi State
is a leader in implementing WASH-related initiatives in Nigeria, particularly in Faecal Sludge Management.
He stressed that,”Currently, Bauchi State has nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) that have achieved LGA-wide Open Defecation Free (ODF) status”
Tushar Rane added that, “Two additional LGAs (Zaki and Jamaare) are closed to reaching this milestone and will need support from the Bauchi state Government to do so by the end of 2024.”
He stressed that, “It is hoped that the adoption of the guidelines will facilitate the attainment and maintenance
of this status, especially in the peri-urban areas of the state.”
For the effective implementation of the strategy, the UNICEF Boss called on the state government to formally approve the implementation of the FSM strategy.
He added that UNICEF in collaboration with other development partners
will continue to work closely with the Bauchi State Government to ensure effective faecal sludge management based on existing systems and guidelines.
his speech, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Rt Hon Danlami Ahmed Kawule thanked the UNICEF, WaterAid Nigeria and other donor partners for the technical support they are providing to the State which led to the State to be among the leading States working towards actualizing the Safely Management Sanitation goal.
The Commissioner who was represented by Jerry M. Sanga, said that, “The ministry of Housing and Environment and BASEPA appreciate Governor Bala Mohammed’s tireless contributions particularly in supporting all environmental projects and programs in the State.
He said that the Fecal Sludge Management which starts from the storage, collection, transport, treatment, and safe end use or disposal of fecal sludge constitutes the value chain of fecal sludge management.
According to the Commissioner, “I’m sure you will all agree with me that faecal sludge management has been very poor in most of our States.”
“But the story is now changing, in short it is very awesome in Bauchi State due to collective efforts of all the stakeholders that are present here,” he stressed.
The Commissioner added that, “BASEPA, as a regulating Agency under the Ministry of Environment, is doing a good work by formalizing all the key actors along the fecal sludge value chain in the State.”
He also stated that, “The Agency has come up with a Guideline for the Fecal Sludge Management, and organizes series of capacity building workshops to different actors in the FSM value chain across the State”
He assured that the Ministry as a policy formulation body, will continue to support BASEPA, RUWASSA and all relevant stakeholders in order to achieve the successful implementation of the document in the State.
The Commissioner then appealed to all stakeholders to continue working within their communities specifically to encourage neighbors, friends and workmates to understand the role they can play in protecting the environment and conservation of natural resources.
Also Speaking at the workshop, Sulaiman Ahmad Muhammad, the National WASH Consultant on FSM Implementation Strategy for Bauchi, said that the strategy document will guide Bauchi State stakeholders in the implementation of Faecal Sludge management across the service chain providers and it is expected to be achieved within six years.
He said that the strategy document is resting on eight pillars which include stakeholders engagement, funding, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, adding that the implementation plan includes a timeline on how to achieve the activity between 2025 and 2030.
In his submission, the Acting General Manager RUWASSA, Adamu Sabo said that validation of the document is aimed at having in place a set strategy for Faecal Sludge management, stressing that lack of management of faecal sludge in the past have resulted to communicable diseases within communities.
“If there is no effective management of faecal Sludge,there will be outbreak of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, thyroid amongst others, but with this document in place,it will reduce the prevalence of diseases in the state, particularly in rural communities” he said.