UNICEF, Zamfara Agency Trains Pit Evacuators To Boost Sanitation

The Zamfara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, in partnership with UNICEF, has conducted a three day training for traditional pit clearers and evacuators in UNICEF-supported local government areas to strengthen faecal sludge management services.

The training, held at Gusau Restaurant in the Lalan area, built the capacity of the evacuators in the catchment LGAs for an effective faecal sludge management (FSM) services through improved technical skills, occupational safety, business development, and to collaborate with key stakeholders across the Sanitation Value Chain for a Climate Resilient Safely Managed Sanitation.

In his opening remarks, RUWATSAN programme manager Dr Abubakar Nasiru Galadima gave an overview of faecal sludge management practices, highlighting the risks and challenges associated with unsafe pit emptying. He stressed the need to address environmental and public health concerns across the sanitation value chain.

Galadima said the training also focused on occupational safety, health and the dignity of sanitation workers, as well as gender and social inclusion in faecal sludge management services. He added that hygiene promotion is key to ensuring safety in pit emptying operations.

He urged the participants to take full advantage of the training, noting that it offered opportunities to build skills and explore small and medium scale business ventures in the sanitation sector.

Innovative pit emptying tools were provided and handed over to the trainees to enhance efficient and safe faecal waste management across the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO) and Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) project LGAs to safeguard public health and the environment, he said.

Also, UNICEF Chief of Field Office Sokoto, Dr Michael Juma, encouraged the trainees to make the most of the programne to improve service delivery in their communities.

The initiative is part of efforts by the Zamfara State government to end open defecation and improve sanitation standards across the state.