Audio By Carbonatix
Up to 90% of Tanzania's biggest city is not connected to the sewage system, a joint report released on World Toilet Day has found.
It says Dar es Salaam's four million residents largely rely on the services of a band of illegal workers known as "frogmen" to deal with human waste. This group of clandestine night workers, who are predominantly men, earned their nickname from the tactics they use removing human waste from latrines across the city. Their hazardous work is the focus of the joint report by the International Labour Organisation, the World Bank and WaterAid. "Frogmen" dive into pit latrines with buckets and a shovel - then dig out faecal sludge by hand. They use no equipment or protection which exposes them to a wide variety of health hazards and diseases, and sometimes even death. There are no available figures to give a picture of just how prevalent health problems arising from their work is because it is illegal. Organisations such as WaterAid are working with frogmen to help them build legal businesses and carry out their essential work more safely. Meanwhile, the government points to the risk of latrine collapse and disease which arises from poor construction in the city’s slums. But for many residents, the frogmen offer an affordable alternative to the legal waste removal trucks.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Lands Ministry touts gains in forest restoration
7 minutes -
Building capacity for climate action: The CAP25 Story
17 minutes -
Chamber of Mines urges caution over proposed mineral royalty reforms
23 minutes -
Ghana has serious domestic challenges; international charity demands careful scrutiny – Afenyo-Markin
27 minutes -
IMF Board approves Ghana’s 5th Programme review, $300m+ disbursement expected
36 minutes -
Kwesi Botchway Jnr seeks status report from Attorney-General on EOCO galamsey probe
47 minutes -
Minority’s call for Lands Minister’s resignation lacks substance – Ministry
49 minutes -
President Mahama cuts sod for Ho Oxygen City Project
49 minutes -
Minority demands clarification on GH₵10m relief donations and Ghanaian troop deployment
56 minutes -
Black Sherif pays courtesy call on UG Vice-chancellor ahead of Zaama Disco concert 2025
1 hour -
CDKN Ghana wins top award for climate resilience at Environmental Sustainability Goals Awards
1 hour -
Judiciary designates three High Courts to fast-track galamsey cases
1 hour -
Ahtoo Montessori school showcases Ghanaian culture at ENJOY AI 2025 global finals
1 hour -
Police restore calm and make arrests following clash at Boadua palace
1 hour -
SML case: Col Damoah pleads not guilty, granted GH¢50m bailÂ
2 hours
