Loans: Bauchi agency pledges support to pit evacuators
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) has announced plans to assist members of the Pit Evacuators Association (PEA) in accessing loans from microfinance institutions.
Dr Mahmud Bose, Director-General of the agency, stated this during a pit evacuation training exercise, on Thursday in Bauchi.
The exercise is being organised in collaboration between the agency and the WaterAid Nigeria.
He identified lack of access to modern equipment as a major obstacle militating against smooth pit evacuation services in the state.
Bose said the agency would assist the pit evacuation operators to access septic tanks, protective equipment, market outlets, and technical knowledge required to fast track conversion of faecal sludge into economically viable products.
The DG stressed that the aim was to enhance safe and effective faecal waste management in the state.
He said the state government had procured three septic tanks to be deployed to Misau and other major towns, to ensure safe evacuation and transportation of faecal solid waste to designated sites.
Dr Sulaiman Ahmed, a WASH Consultant, highlighted the economic benefits of proper faecal sludge management.
He advised pit emptiers to utilise modern safety kits to protect themselves, families and community members from health hazards associated with indiscriminate evacuation and disposal of faecal sludge.
“If properly managed, faecal sludge could be converted into fertiliser, animal feed, and a source of energy for home use,” he said.
He advised pit evacuators to avail themselves of the opportunities provided under the initiative to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the state’s economic development.
Also, Victoria Ali, Sanitation/Hygiene Manager, WaterAid, lauded the successful implementation of the faecal sludge management programme.
She urged the agency to expand the scope of the exercise to other focal local government areas of the state.
