Capacity Building on CWIS and FSM of Paurashava and DPHE Officials

Ensuring safe and sustainable sanitation for all has been identified as one of the major second generation sanitation challenges in Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh is committed to reach the SDG 6 target by 2030. In response to the government’s commitment, ITN-BUET in collaboration with DPHE is working to build the capacity of the DPHE and Paurashava officials to increase awareness and knowledge on City-Wide Inclusive Sanitation and Fecal Sludge Management. As a part of this initiative, a 4-day specialized training program on Fecal Sludge Management: An Element of City Wide Inclusive Sanitation was organized by ITN-BUET and DPHE during 11-14 November, 2019.

The training event aimed to build capacity for FSM implementation for the Paurashava and DPHE officials under the Islamic Development Bank supported 23 Paurashavas Project and GoB supported 32 Paurashavas Project of DPHE. The major objectives of this training program were to share details on different components of FSM and CWIS, organize exposure visit to an FSM implementing Paurashava and FSTP to understand the opportunities and challenges in the sector, enable the Paurashava and DPHE officials to prepare an ‘FSM Action Plan’ for concerned Paurashavas and evaluate the training in order to identify gaps for comprehensive training events in future. The training included a field visit to Sakhipur Co-Compost Plant in Tangail. WaterAid Bangladesh facilitated the plant visit in Sakhipur Paurashava.

In the Inaugural Session, Mr. Nazrul Islam Mia, Project Director, 32 Paurashavas Project, DPHE hoped that regular capacity building events will help the paurashavas to run the system properly after the project implementation. Mr. Alauddin Ahmed told that ITN-BUET will continue capacity building support to the municipalities in a planned and organized manner, which will enable the municipalities to deliver FSM service efficiently.

Paurashava personnel from 8 Paurashavas and 8 DPHE Engineers from concerned Paurashavas (Upazilas) participated in the training. The paurashavas were: Karimganj, Singair, Sonargaon, Gafargaon, Kasba, Nangalkot, Dhamrai and Dohar.

Al-Haj Abdur Rahim Miah, Mayor, Dohar Paurashava; Mr. Golam Kabir, Mayor, Dhamrai Paurashaava; Md. S.M. Iqbal Hossain Sumon, Mayor, Gafargaon Paurashava; Ms. Jahida Akter Moni, Panel Mayor, Sonargaon Paurashava; Mr. Md. Mosharrof Hossain, Panel Mayor, Nangalkot Paurashava; Mr. Md. Shafiqul Hassan, Co-Chair, FSM Support Cell, DPHE and Mr. Mr. Alauddin Ahmed, Project Manager, ITN-BUET were present in closing ceremony. All the mayors and panel mayors expressed commitment to foster FSM activities at their municipalities. Mr. Hassan committed to continue DPHE’s support to the municipalities in attainment of safely managed sanitation.