By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Following successfully implemtation of the Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) Strategy by Bauchi State supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Gombe and Plateau States have jointly engaged stakeholders on how to have same strategy in their respective states.
Government Officials and members of the Academia from the two states on Wednesday in Bauchi, engaged officials from Bauchi State particularly those from Bauchi State Environmental Sanitation Agency (BASEPA), Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) and other relevant agencies on how to go about the exercise.
While declaring the session opened, Bauchi State Commissioner of Housing and Environment, Rt Hon Danlami Ahmed Kawule, commended UNICEF, WaterAid Nigeria and other donor partners have been commended for the technical supports they are providing to Bauchi State leading to the State to be among the leading States working towards actualizing the Safely Managed Sanitation in the country.
He stated, “Permit me to welcome you all to this important occasion of exchange Visit on Faecal Sludge Management Implementation in Bauchi State by our two neighboring brothers of Plateau and Gombe States.”
According to him, “The attainment of this height has not come to us as a surprised, especially looking at the enabling environment and excellent leadership provided by His Excellency, Senator Bala A. Mohammed, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State across all sectors of human endeavor.”
Danlami Kawule added that,”The Ministry of Housing and Environment, and BASEPA are appreciative of His Excellency’s tireless contributions particularly in supporting all environmental projects and programs in the State.”
The Commissioner explained that, “Faecal Sludge Management, which starts from the storage, collection, transport, treatment, and safe end use or disposal of faecal sludge constitutes the value chain of faecal sludge management.”
According to him, “I’m sure you will all agree with me that, that faecal sludge management has been very poor in most of our States. But the story is now changing in Bauchi State due to collective efforts of all the stakeholders that are here present. Well done to all of us.”
He stressed 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 added 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.”
“The Climate Resilient Fecal Sludge Management implementation Strategy 2025-2030 document developed by the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) with support from UNICEF, served as a roadmap to fortify the resilience of our sanitation systems against the backdrop of Bauchi’s unique environmental challenges. This strategy will create a sustainable and resilient FSM sectors in Bauchi State,” he added.
The Commissioner added that,”Let me inform our dear brothers from Plateau and Gombe States that the Bauchi state Government is appreciative of your wisdom and foresight for coming down to see what we are doing and exchange ideas with us; we will continue to work as brothers for the overall betterment of our people.”
He concluded stressing,”I once more appreciate the support we receive from various partners particularly, UNICEF for organizing this impactful session that will ultimately lead to attainment of safely managed sanitation in our respective states.”
In her remarks, UNICEF WASH Officer, Nambam Michael commended Bauchi State for being the first state in the country with a validated Fescal Sludge Management (FSM) strategy in the country.
The WASH Officer further commended all the relevant stakeholders in the WASH sector of the state for the resilience in ensuring that the strategy was developed and validated.
Nambam Michael assured that UNICEF will continue to be supportive of strategies that will promote effective faecal sludge management in the States that make up the Bauchi Field Office of the UNICEF.
Also speaking, the General Manager of Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Habibu Mohammed stated that the essence of exchange study cannot be overemphasized in achieving set objectives.
He narrated that few years ago, Bauchi State visited Plateau State RUWASSA to understudy the function of WASH directorate before the state established its own expressing joy that the study has now yielded a positive outcome.
The RUWASSA GM expressed optimism that partnership, collaboration and understudy are key indicators of development and growth in all sectors assuring that his Agency will always cherish such collaborative efforts.
In his remarks, Bauchi State WaterAid Nigeria Team Lead, Mashat Mallo stressed the importance of Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) in promoting WASH activities in the society.
He stressed that WaterAid Nigeria is supportive of any initiative that will promote WASH activities pointing out that with adequate WASH focus, the society will be free from health hazards.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairperson of Pankshin LGC of Plateau State commended the study visit describing it as very important and necessary in the effort to achieve a healthy environment.
He assured that all the Local Councils in Plateau State are ready to implement the outcome of the visit in order to have an effective faecal sludge management system in Plataeau state.
