WaterAid Urges Bauchi To Establish Faecal Sludge Disposal Sites

WaterAid Nigeria has called on the Bauchi State Government to urgently develop designated faecal sludge disposal sites to strengthen sanitation management, protect public health and unlock opportunities in the sanitation economy.

The organisation’s Head of Programmes, Mr Nanpet Chuktu, made the call during a stakeholders’ validation workshop on the assessment of risks along the sanitation service chain. The workshop was organised by the Development Exchange Centre (DEC) in Bauchi yesterday.

Chuktu noted that although the state government had earmarked locations for faecal sludge disposal, delays in developing the sites had led to the indiscriminate dumping of waste on farmlands and around residential communities, posing serious environmental and public health risks.

He urged government ministries, departments and agencies responsible for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to strengthen enforcement of regulations governing the entire sanitation service chain, including containment, emptying, transportation, treatment, disposal and safe reuse.

According to him, effective sanitation management presents significant economic opportunities through job creation for toilet business operators, pit emptiers and farmers, while also promoting a cleaner environment and improving public health.

“The government should recognise the enormous opportunities in the sanitation economy. If properly managed, it can create jobs for toilet business operators, pit emptiers and farmers, improve livelihoods, keep the environment clean and guarantee better health for the people,” Chuktu said.