The southern Unguja destination of Paje has seen the launch of seven public toilets, highlighting the growing need for basic sanitation infrastructure as the area expands as a residential, tourism, and commercial centre. This development comes as the region experiences rapid growth, necessitating the provision of essential social infrastructure.
South Unguja Regional Commissioner Hamida Mussa Khamis emphasized the importance of public toilets in protecting the environment and ensuring residents and visitors have access to basic sanitation facilities. She made these remarks during the launch of the facilities, which were constructed by Floton Africa at a cost of 40m/-.
The expansion of Paje has made it necessary to provide essential social infrastructure and reduce the practice of people relieving themselves in unofficial areas. The availability of adequate public toilets is closely linked to general hygiene and the cleanliness of public spaces. Inadequate sanitation facilities can expose public areas to human waste, creating unpleasant conditions for residents and visitors.
Regional Commissioner Khamis stressed that the community has a responsibility to use the new facilities properly and keep them clean. She emphasized that public sanitation infrastructure can only remain effective if accompanied by responsible use and maintenance. This highlights the need for a collaborative effort to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the facilities.
The development points to a broader challenge facing rapidly growing destinations like Paje: ensuring public services keep pace with population growth, tourism, and commercial activity. Local authorities face the challenge of not only constructing sanitation facilities but also ensuring they are adequately maintained, accessible, and integrated into wider efforts to keep public areas clean.
Chairman of the South Municipal Council Ramadhan Makame Mbanja and its Director, Mussa Haji Mussa, stated that the council is seeking to ensure essential services reach communities in areas with large concentrations of people and significant social activity. They emphasized the importance of public facilities in locations where people regularly gather.
Floton Africa Foundation, represented by Swapna Brahmaroutu, expressed its preparedness to work with the South Unguja regional authorities in addressing social challenges requiring urgent attention. The seven toilets were constructed at a total cost of Sh40 million, providing an immediate response to a basic sanitation need, with their long-term public health and environmental value depending on regular cleaning, maintenance, and responsible use.
Key points
- Floton Africa constructs seven public toilets in Paje, Unguja, at a cost of 40m/-.
- The development aims to address the growing need for basic sanitation infrastructure in the rapidly expanding area.
- The community is urged to use the facilities properly and maintain them to ensure their long-term effectiveness.
