From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office Dr. Nuzhat Rafique has called for the adoption of a modern faecal sludge management system in order to address the menace of open defecations in Plateau State.Rafique, represented by the WASH Officer, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Nanbam Michael Dawap said the adoption of the climate resilient Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) system also has the capacity of creating job opportunities for teaming youth in the state.

She stated this during the media dialogue on FSM in Plateau State held at Teest Hotel, Rayfield in Jos the Plateau state capital.The Chief Field Officer explained that Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) refers to the safe collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal or reuse of faecal sludge from on-site sanitation systems especially septic tanks, pit latrinesShe said the importance of the adoption of the Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) system in the state will “Prevent disease spread and transmission. Protect public health and living standard”Safeguard environmental quality, Promote economic growth and opportunities, Enhance well-being and dignity, Ensures sustainable sanitation services, Ensures environmental sustainability such as resource recovery and reuse practices of faecal sludge.” She emphasizedShe maintained that the challenges of Faecal Sludge Management system consist of “Inadequate Infrastructure, Limited or poorly maintained collection vehicles and treatment facilities.”Insufficient treatment capacity leading to unsafe disposal or dumping, Lack of Regulation and Enforcement and Weak policies or absence of clear FSM guidelines, poor monitoring and enforcement of sanitation standards,” in the stateDr. Rafique further advised that among the adaptation strategies for the practices of Faecal Sludge Management in the state consist of designing FSM systems that are flexible and can operate during floods or droughts.”Use climate risk assessments to guide FSM planning and siting. Resilient Infrastructure, construct flood-proof treatment plants and storage facilities.Use materials and designs that withstand extreme weather conditions and implement decentralized treatment to reduce vulnerability.” She advisedThe General Manager of the Plateau Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (PRUWASA) Engr. Godfrey Dashuhar said the agency has revisited engagement with UNICEF to further strengthen the cooperation towards the betterment of Plateau citizens especially in the rural areas across the 17 LGAs.According to him, “The next steps are guidelines we are thinking of and want to work on the guideline for fecal sludge management. If we have all these guidelines in place and we actually implement them, then I’m assuring you that open defecation in our communities will be a thing of the past.”And for this, I want to assure us the media team here and other WASH colleagues that you should join us in this fight to see that Plateau State becomes open defecation free. And the only way is through this media dialogue and awareness. When you push it up, definitely it will get to the people at the top, and they will do the needful,” he stated.