Bougouriba: The Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture, Water, Animal and Fisheries Resources, Isma«l Sombi©, officially inaugurated the sludge treatment plant in Di©bougou, aimed at sustainably improving sanitation and public health in the municipality.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the ceremony was attended by the Governor of the Dj´r´ region, Siaka Barro, the Director General of the National Water and Sanitation Office (ONEA), Flandion Idrissa Sourabi©, along with administrative and local authorities, representatives of technical and financial partners, and beneficiary populations.
The plant, constructed on a 10-hectare site, includes four modules with four drying beds each, boasting a total capacity of 960 m³. It also features a composting area, a guardhouse, an administrative building, and a drinking water supply system. This facility aims to provide a structured environment for the unloading and treatment of sludge from septic tanks, addressing the previous issue of haphazard dumping into the environment.
The Director General of ONEA emphasized the significance of the plant, stating that it "reflects the authorities' commitment to strengthening the sanitation sector." He highlighted that the infrastructure offers practical solutions for sludge management and treatment.
Costing a total of 429 million CFA francs, fully financed by ONEA, the infrastructure is expected to mitigate health risks associated with illegal sludge discharges. Additionally, it will facilitate the production of compost, benefiting agricultural producers.
The completion of this project was well-received by sector stakeholders. Yaniakpeon Parfait Prosp¨re Som©, known as "Baba," president of the manual septic tank emptying association in Di©bougou, expressed relief, noting the establishment of a suitable disposal site as a significant advancement for their operations.
The Director General of ONEA assured the public of ongoing measures to ensure the management and sustainability of the station, urging responsible behavior to preserve the facilities. Prior to the Di©bougou inauguration, the ministerial delegation had also inaugurated the Dano sludge treatment plant, marking a concerted effort to enhance sanitation in the region.