The Gombe State Government has reiterated its commitment to improved sanitation and environmental sustainability through strengthened efforts in faecal sludge management (FSM), in collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners.
This commitment was reaffirmed in a keynote address delivered by the Director of Water Resources on behalf of the Commissioner for Water, Environment, and Forest Resources, Mr Mohammed Saidu Fawu, during an awareness campaign organised by the Gombe State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), with support from UNICEF.
The campaign convened key stakeholders from government, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, and the media to promote best practices in the safe handling and treatment of faecal sludge—a pressing concern for communities reliant on pit latrines and septic systems.
Towards a Sustainable FSM Framework
The event emphasised the urgent need for a coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable FSM framework, prioritising regulatory enforcement, private sector participation, construction of treatment facilities, and consistent community engagement.
Mr Fawu highlighted that FSM has been incorporated into the state’s sanitation roadmap, with innovative waste-to-resource initiatives already underway—including the conversion of treated faecal sludge into energy, organic fertiliser, and non-potable water, thereby supporting both environmental protection and economic growth.
“Overflowing pits, indiscriminate disposal, and groundwater contamination are not mere inconveniences,” the commissioner stated.
“They are threats to human dignity, water security, and public health,” Mr Fawu said.
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He praised UNICEF’s ongoing support for WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programmes in the state and acknowledged UNIDO’s contribution to renewable energy development, especially the upcoming 320 MW Small Hydro Power Project, as a reflection of shared goals for sustainability and resilience.
“Sanitation is not just a health issue; it is a development issue. It intersects with education, gender equality, environmental protection, and climate resilience,” the commissioner stressed.
Mr Fawu reaffirmed Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration’s dedication to achieving a cleaner and healthier Gombe State, calling on community-based organisations, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to view faecal sludge management as a collective responsibility and a cornerstone of public health.
UNICEF’s Role in Driving ODF and FSM Initiatives
Mrs Namban Michael, WASH Officer, speaking on behalf of Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, emphasised the significance of FSM as a crucial extension of open defecation eradication efforts.
She commended Dr Rafique’s leadership in fostering interstate learning visits—particularly to Bauchi State, which has made notable strides in FSM—to help other states, including Gombe, implement effective human waste systems.
“Building and using toilets is crucial, but equally vital is how and where we dispose of the waste,” said Mrs Michael.
She noted that while states like Jigawa have achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, they still face challenges with FSM infrastructure. Gombe, she said, has the opportunity to establish sustainable systems from the outset.
UNICEF, alongside the Federal Government’s “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign, is urging Gombe to proactively develop sustainable FSM infrastructure.
Mrs Michael said the gathering also served as an orientation for stakeholders to understand institutional responsibilities and early-stage requirements for FSM implementation.
She underscored the crucial role of the media in advancing ODF advocacy and educating the public on the health and economic benefits of sound faecal waste management.
Socioeconomic Impact of Faecal Sludge Management
In a technical presentation titled “Faecal Sludge Management and Its Link to Open Defecation and Community Hygiene,” Professor Wilson Lamayi Danbature outlined the multifaceted benefits of FSM:
“Prevention of water source contamination, reduced health risks from pathogen exposure, pollution control, and recovery of valuable resources such as biogas and fertiliser,” said Prof. Danbature.
He noted that FSM directly supports the achievement of SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, with potential for:
- Fewer outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea
- Lower healthcare costs and improved school attendance
- Greater productivity due to healthier labour forces
FSM, he added, also generates economic opportunities, including
- Job creation in toilet construction and maintenance
- Roles in sludge collection, transport, and treatment
- Entrepreneurship in recycling waste into fertiliser, biogas, or fuel
Environmentally, FSM helps protect water sources, agricultural land, and ecosystems, thereby reinforcing both food security and climate resilience.
Gombe’s Progress and Persistent Challenges
Meanwhile, RUWASSA’s WASH Sector Lead, Professor Abubakar Lumumba, disclosed that 896 communities across Gombe State have been “triggered” under the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) initiative. However, only 320 have self-declared as ODF.
He added that 119 communities had been verified by local government WASH departments and were now awaiting state and federal validation for formal recognition.
Prof. Lumumba expressed concern over the slow pace of implementation and the lag in the fight against open defecation, urging stakeholders to intensify efforts and accelerate the drive towards achieving ODF status.
“Over the years, this championship has helped young talents, providing them with a constructive outlet and a chance to showcase their abilities on a national stage,” she said.
