On Wednesday 26th January 2022, the Kizumbi Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) was officially launched by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Wiebe de Boer, alongside the Regional Commissioner of Shinyanga, Hon. Sophia Mjema. This is the first ever FSTP to be constructed in Shinyanga Municipality, providing a critical step towards safe and effective sanitation for close to 200,000 people.
The construction of the FSTP is a key part of the WASH SDG programme, a project funded by the Dutch Government (DGIS), implemented by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation in collaboration with the Shinyanga Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (SHUWASA) and the Shinyanga Municipal Council (SMC), which aims to sustainably improve access to and use of sanitation services, along with improved hygiene behaviours, in urban areas.
The plant was officially opened by the former Mayor of Shinyanga Late David Mathew Nkulila in June 2021, for an initial 6-month testing phase, and was handed over to SHUWASA, as the mandated entity, to run and operate the facility. Speaking after the launch event the SHUWASA Board Chairperson, Mwamvua Jilumbi, stressed the importance of the plant “the FSTP is a major step in introducing local faecal sludge treatment, disposal and re-use options that are environmentally safe, socially acceptable and financially sustainable”.
The construction started on 1st September 2020 and was completed by 15th May 2021. The total cost of construction was around TZS 310 million (approximately 120,000 Euros). The Dutch Ambassador voiced his support to the Dutch-funded project saying, “We are proud to be able to support the Government of Tanzania, and specifically the Shinyanga Municipality, in improving safe sanitation for all, a basic human right, and a collaborative step in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Recognising the role of the Netherlands Government funding has played in transforming the sanitation situation in Shinyanga, the Regional Commissioner stated, ”The Government of Tanzania is extremely appreciative of the support of the Dutch government, and we promise to continue working with the Netherlands and their supported programmes to improve the health and lives of all our citizens.”
In 2022, the programme is focusing on strengthening the ability of the local entities to run, operate and supervise the plant, to ensure the sustainability of the infrastructure and service, well beyond the end of the programme. In line with this, SNV Country Director re-iterated SNV’s continued strong support for Tanzania saying, “SNV are long term partners in development, and we aim to build sustainable coalitions to effect lasting change, as we are doing in the region of Shinyanga.”
The
Kizumbi FSTP includes an attenuation chamber, a screening unit, drying beds (planted
and unplanted), constructed wetlands and a co-composting unit. The
co-composting feature (combining dried faecal sludge from the plant with
organic waste), is an innovative step in re-using faecal sludge for productive uses
and contributes to a greener economy. The Lord Mayor of Shinyanga, Elias
Masumbuko, announced, “Public health and a safe environment are key
priorities of the government, and we congratulate SNV’s contribution, in close collaboration with SMC and SHUWASA, in bringing climate
friendly and sustainable solutions to our municipality.”
About SNV Tanzania:
SNV is
an international NGO, originally established by the Netherlands government to
place and support Dutch volunteers in the developing world. Over the years it has adapted and evolved to
match the changing needs of development aid in the countries in which it works
and since 2015 has been fully legally independent of the Netherlands Government
although it retains strong ties with the Netherlands and has a head office in
the Hague and currently operates in 27 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin
America. SNV was established in Tanzania
in 1971 and over the past 50 years has developed and maintained strong networks
and partnerships with government, donors, civil society, the private sector,
and the communities in which it works.
It works in three main sectors: agriculture, sustainable energy, and
water sanitation and hygiene. Themes of
climate change, gender equality and youth employment are embedded in everything
that SNV does.
For more information contact:
Duncan Rhind, Country Director SNV, Tanzania
Email: drhind@snv.org
Phone: +255 22 026 00340
/ 260 0397/8
Web: www.snv.org
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