JOINT DELEGATION FROM PLATEAU, GOMBE STATES UNDERSTUDY PROCESSES, PROCEDURES OF LASWARCO
- Commend Commission’s Efficiency, Plead For More Public Support
A joint delegation led by the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Plateau State, Mr. Sa’ad Bello and the Commissioner for Water Resources, Gombe State, Mr. Mijinyawa Yahaya, has visited the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) for a study of process and procedures in the water regulatory sector.
While welcoming the team to her office, the Executive Secretary of LASWARCO, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, stated that priority attention is given to the water sector because of its relevance to human survival.
She recalled that the recently held Lagos State International Water Conference (LIWAC) 2022 with the theme: “Unlocking Investment and Sustainable Access to Clean Water and Sanitation Services: The Regulatory Imperative”, emphasised the need to make potable water available and accessible for Lagosians.
The Executive Secretary said that although financing the water sector has been a challenge, the State government is not going to compromise its stance on water availability for its residents, hence the call on the private sector to explore the huge opportunities that abound in the water supply and sanitation services sub-sector.
Mrs. Adepoju disclosed that the establishment of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, statutorily saddled with the responsibilities of regulating, monitoring and controlling the extraction, consumption, production, distribution, supply, sale and use of water in the State, was an indication of the importance of the water sector to the government.
She pointed out that the State Government has built a state-of-the-art Water Check Laboratory as part of its efforts to sanitise the sector and ensure that those in the business have access to a world standard equipment for testing water purity, adding that Lagos would continue to explore new initiatives to improve the sector.
Thanking the delegation for the visit, the Executive Secretary averred that the tour would afford everyone the opportunity to compare notes and identify areas for improvement, saying “As we all know, there is always room for improvement. We are not resting on our oars and we can’t claim to know it all in any area”.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy in Plateau State, Mr. Sa’ad Bello commended the Commission on its efforts in regulating the production, distribution, supply and use of water as well as innovations in the water sector of Lagos State.
Bello emphasised that LASWASRCO’s track records and the many successes recorded so far in the sector convinced them to understudy the processes and procedures of the Commission.
He added that the visit was also necessary, in view of the need to introduce best practices in water regulation, management and distribution in Plateau State, noting that the regulatory role of LASWARCO has ensured that Lagos residents consume safe water that is devoid of waterborne diseases.
On his part, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Gombe State, Mr. Mijinyawa Yahaya, said that the visit was more crucial for him and the Gombe State Government as the State is currently concluding plans to establish its own Water Regulatory Commission.
He pleaded for more support and institutional assistance from LASWARCO, saying that Gombe State is proud of Lagos’ achievements in water regulation and would be honoured to identify with the success stories.
Commenting on the Water Resource Bill presently before Federal Lawmakers, Yahaya pleaded with the legislators to work closely with the various State Governments, especially Lagos State Government, to address contentious areas in the proposed bill for its smooth passage.
His words: “It’s commendable that Lagos State has a law in place but to give the law a national outlook devoid of different interests and for uniformity sake, national law is needed. However, there must be a basic understanding and establishment of mutual interest with already existing laws at the State levels”.
While pleading for understanding and cooperation from Lagosians in sanitising the water sector, the Gombe State Commissioner commended the Executive Secretary of LASWARCO, Mrs. Funke Adepoju for giving visibility to the Commission at the national level and for prioritising the wellbeing of Lagos residents.
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PIX 1-4: Images of the joint visit by the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Plateau State, Mr. Sa’ad Bello and the Commissioner for Water Resources, Gombe State, Mr. Mijinyawa Yahaya, to the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO).
