Zamfara trains pit emptiers
The Zamfara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSAN ), in partnership with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), has trained traditional pit emptiers and evacuators in UNICEF-supported
The Zamfara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSAN ), in partnership with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), has trained traditional pit emptiers and evacuators in UNICEF-supported local government areas to strengthen faecal sludge management services.
The three-day programme aimed at building the capacity of traditional pit emptiers/evacuators in the catchment local government areas 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 with a goal of improve safe sanitation practices and address challenges linked to pit emptying across the state.
RUWATSAN Programme Manager Dr Nasir Abubakar Galadima reviewed faecal sludge management practices, highlighting the risks and challenges in 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.
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He urged participants to take 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 trained to enhance efficient and safe faecal waste management across the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO) and Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) project local government areas to safeguard public health and the environment.
Also, UNICEF team lead from the Sokoto Field Office, Dr Makel Juma, urged trainees to make the most of the programme to improve service delivery in their communities.
The initiative was part of efforts by the state government to end open defecation and improve sanitation standards across the state.
