Bauchi Govt commends UNICEF’s technical support for FSM Implementation

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Bauchi state government has commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for providing it with the needed technical support towards becoming one of the leading States working to actualize the Safely Manage Sanitation goal under the Climate Resilient Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) implementation Strategy 2025-2030 project.

The State Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Hon. Danlami Ahmed Kawule gave the commendation at a Validation Workshop of Climate Resilient Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) Implementation Strategy 2025-2030 which was held at the Chartwell Hotel and Suites Bauchi on Friday.

Represented by an official of the ministry, Mr Jerry M. Sanga, the Commissioner described the progress made so far across Bauchi state as impressive under the Governor Bala Mohammed led government, adding that his ministry, the state Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) and the entire people of the state are appreciative of the Governor’s support for all
environmental projects and programs in the State.

He stressed that the Fecal sludge management which starts from the storage, collection,
transport, treatment, and safe end use or disposal of faecal sludge constitutes the value chain of its management.

“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”, the Commissioner said.

Hon. Kawule who noted that BASEPA as a regulating Agency under the ministry of environment is doing a good job by formalizing all the key actors along the fecal sludge value chain in the State, said the agency has come up with a Guideline for the Fecal Sludge Management.

According to him, BASEPA has also organized series of capacity building workshops for different actors in the FSM value chain across the State.

“The Climate Resilient Fecal Sludge Management implementation Strategy 2025-2030 document developed by the BASEPA with support from UNICEF will serve as a roadmap to fortify the resilience of our sanitation systems against the backdrop of Bauchi’s unique environmental challenges”, the Commissioner said.

He maintained that the strategy will create a sustainable and resilient FSM sectors in Bauchi State, assuring that the Ministry as a policy formulation body, will continue to support BASEPA, RUWASA and all relevant
stakeholders in order to achieve the successful implementation of this document in the State.

Hon Kawule appealed to the stakeholders to continue to work within their communities specifically to encourage neighbors,
friends, workmates to understand the role they can play in protecting the
environment and conservation of natural resources.

In a goodwill message, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi, Dr. Tushar Rane said the validation exercise marks the conclusion of the Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) review process that brought together key stakeholders in February this year to
appraise the FSM strategy in line with the Bauchi state
government’s commitment to ensuring clean environment and the overall global concept of safely managed
sanitation.

Dr. Rane who explained that the strategy outlined key milestones targeted for the period 2025 to 2030 that align with the Bauchi state priorities to safeguard a clean and healthy environment, further noted 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 as well as conducting capacity assessments