By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – The Sustainable Development Goal, SDG 6.2 aims to achieve adequate, inclusive, and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all by the year 2030, but is Plateau State ready for the target, especially since not one out of the 17 local government areas in the State is Open Defecation, OD free.

Currently, over 56% of its population is engaged in open defecation, exposing citizens, especially children, women, and people living with disabilities, to health risks via the spread of diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, and other diseases.

A 2022 report by UNICEF indicated that 46 million Nigerians still practice open defecation. Plateau State, which ranks second in Nigeria for open defecation, contributes significantly to the figure.

Reversing the trend

Curbing open defecation also calls for proper Faecal Sludge Management, FSM says Dr. Alexander Jock, a chemical engineer who spoke in Jos, at a media dialogue on accelerating faecal sludge management strategy adoption organized by the Plateau Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, PRUWASSA, with the support from UNICEF Bauchi Field Office.

Jock said FSM involves the safe collection, transport, treatment, and either reuse or disposal of faecal sludge, that is human waste.

Speaking on dangers of OD and ways to accelerate FSM to mitigate public health risks and add value to the economy, Jock and other experts pointed out the gains in proper FSM and called for increased awareness, modernized infrastructure, and community engagement to transition from traditional methods to sustainable FSM solutions that prioritize health, safety, and resource recovery.

According to him, “Proper management of faecal sludge reduces waterborne diseases and infections, prevents water pollution, protects ecosystems, promotes safe sanitation practices and resource recovery.”

He advocated for the modern FSM method, saying, “In the manual emptying of faecal sludge, the labourers manually remove sludge from pits or tanks, but the modern method utilizes vacuum trucks and tankers for hygienic sludge removal.”

Also, Engineer David Wuyep, a former Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy in the State called for the commercialization of sanitation, saying, “Achieving Open Defecation Free, ODF status is not only a matter of constructing toilets but also ensuring the safe management of faecal waste. Effective FSM is essential for sustaining ODF communities.

“FSM offers a compelling avenue for private sector engagement across the sanitation value chain—from toilet containment systems to the final safe disposal or reuse of sludge.

“Sanitation is often perceived as a government responsibility, but growing urbanization, complexity of FSM logistics, and constrained public budgets present new opportunities for private sector actors to complement public service delivery.”

Wuyep explained, “Provision of affordable toilet solutions presents a significant opportunity for the private sector in FSM by addressing the foundational need for safe containment. Businesses can innovate low-cost, modular, and easy-to-install toilets tailored for low-income households, schools, and public spaces.

“Through sanitation marketing, leasing models, or pay-per-use systems, private firms can generate sustainable revenue while expanding access to basic sanitation. This not only supports ODF goals but also creates jobs and stimulates local economies.”

He noted that the pursuit of economic opportunity must be responsibly done along the sustainability pillars of environment, social, and governance and called for the formulation of supportive government policies that would elicit private sector investments in FSM infrastructure as small-scale FSM initiatives are introduced.

Giving a thought on climate-resilient FSM, Nanbam Dawap, the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, WASH Officer of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, reiterated FSM is vital for urban sanitation, public health, and environmental protection.

Her words, “Integrating climate resilience into FSM ensures systems remain functional under changing climate conditions, reducing vulnerability to floods, droughts, and extreme weather.

“Adopting best practices and resilient infrastructure promotes sustainable development, economic growth, and improved quality of life in vulnerable communities.”

However, the Coordinator of WASH Institute, University of Jos, Professor Ponchang Wuyep pointed out, “If we fail to properly manage faecal sludge, we risk serious health consequences. People will be overwhelmed by parasites and pathogens.

“Given the current economic hardship, it’s better to focus on staying healthy through prevention than spending money on treatments and medications. Effective management of faecal waste is essential for both public health and environmental protection. We grow plants, and plants need a healthy environment, mismanagement of waste negatively affects soil fertility.

“There’s a whole value chain in faecal sludge management. And if we focus on building sustainable business models around it, we can boost the economy and create numerous jobs.”

Professor Wuyep further noted, “Achieving ODF is the first critical step but the FSM is the necessary follow through to ensure the long-term health and environmental benefits of ending open defecation are realized and sustained.

“Without proper FSM, faecal matter is simply moved from open spaces to containment that may eventually overflow or improperly emptied still posing significant risks. FSM is not just linked to ODF status, it is a vital component for achieving and maintaining a truly safe and healthy ODF environment.”

Confirming the wealth in waste, Mr. Sani Idris stated, “I have been in the business of providing public toilets in many cities for over 30 years. With this business, I have trained my children within and outside Nigeria and some of them have joined me in the business.

“The property I own in different States and the FCT were acquired from this very profitable business. If the State government can pay more attention to the issue of human waste, the benefits embedded in it can be tapped. The government needs to put eyes, mouths, and legs in this untapped resource and create wealth.”

What the State Government is doing:

The Director of Administration in the State Ministry of Water Resources and Energy, Mr. Gonzaga Badung, the General Manager of the Plateau Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, PRUWASSA, Engineer Godfrey Dashuhar, the Agency’s Director of Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion, Magdalene Jubrin, and Joshua Nyako of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board, JMDB gave insights to what the State government is doing to mitigate open defecation and promote faecal sludge management.

To Badung, “The challenge of managing faecal sludge is one we can no longer afford to ignore. As the population grows, so does the urgency for a sustainable and inclusive approach to sanitation. This speaks to our efforts to improve public health and environmental sustainability.”

Dashuhar added, “We are working tirelessly to change the narrative. We had made significant progress when UNICEF was with us, but along the way, things changed. The targeted local governments then were Riyom and Shendam. However, when that collaboration ended, there was a gap.

“We have revisited UNICEF, engaged with them, and requested their cooperation again. That’s what has brought us here today. PRUWASSA is working with all relevant stakeholders for positive outcomes.”

Jubrin maintained, “Diarrhoea is the second childhood killer disease after pneumonia. 88% of diarrhoea cases are associated with poor management of excreta disposal, and diarrhoea weakens children and makes them vulnerable to malnutrition. 50% of malnutrition is associated with repeated diarrhoea or worm infestation.

“Iron deficiency anaemia among adolescent girls is linked to worm infestation through open defecation. Girls are reluctant to go to schools where there are no toilets for their privacy and menstrual hygiene. Our statistics are poor, but we are working at declaring the Riyom LGA open defecation free; we are also working at addressing the situation in our local communities.”

Nyako explained that for improved sanitation and FSM, the JMDB has stipulated guidelines that must be followed before approvals are given for building construction.