LASWARCO RAMPS UP INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY ON REGULATION OF WASH SECTOR
… Undertakes Study Tour of Foremost Water Regulator in Africa
The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) is poised to strengthen the regulatory framework and institutional capacity towards efficient and effective regulation of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector with the overall objective of progressing towards universal access to water and sanitation services as enshrined in the United Nations SDG Goal 6.
To this effect, LASWARCO in collaboration with WaterAid Nigeria under the leadership of its Country Director, Evelyn Mere, has embarked on a study tour of the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) in Zambia, in furtherance of its efforts to improve service delivery.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, said the study tour to NWASCO, reputed as a world-class regulator of water supply and sanitation services, became expedient in view of the need to strengthen the institutional capacity of LASWARCO for WASH regulation in Lagos State.
Emphasising the importance of supervision in a manner that will improve service delivery, Mrs Adepoju envisaged that strict regulation will pave way for significant and sustainable engagement in water supply and wastewater management while protecting the interests of consumers.
She said, “Regulatory effectiveness is a core driver of improved water and sanitation services. Active regulation involves incremental change, extensive consultation and testing”.
“The ever-increasing population of Lagos State has undoubtedly put intense pressure on the institutions providing basic social services in the State. However, the State government is sparing no effort in providing affordable and equitable access to clean and safe drinking water for all residents by the administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as enshrined in the health and environment component of the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda”, the Executive Secretary added.
Mrs. Adepoju explained that the visit to Zambia was essentially to study and understand the basic factors responsible for the rapid progress achieved in regulating the WASH sector of the country in recent times, especially its response to the WASH crisis and steps taken to turn around their water supply and sanitation issues, including the models applied, sources of funding, challenges faced and lessons learnt.
According to her, the visit also afforded LASWARCO the opportunity to have a clear understanding of the policy statements in terms of content and context that generated a rapid positive response to reforming the WASH sector, as well as the processes and procedures that informed the positive response of both government officials and the citizenry to the reform.
“We also shared notes on how Private Sector Engagement and intervention of non-State actors are operating in the WASH sector, especially the role of government as the regulator of Private Sector Engagement at ensuring the sustainability of the system, while also discussing how regulation through NWASCO is helping to improve access to clean water and management of wastewater in the country”, she stated.
On his part, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Office of Drainage and Water Resources, Engr. Lekan Shodeinde, emphasised the need for regulation towards ensuring that operators are kept on their toes to provide the best services for consumers.
He informed that the monitors and inspectors from NWASCO are monitoring their people and ensuring that the operators of their utilities are kept on their toes in doing what they are supposed to do for the people, pointing out that the primary objective is to ensure that the people should get the best service available.
“The level of dedication from the enforcement arm is awesome as all hands are on deck. It shows that a lot can be done for the water sector in terms of getting people access. The importance of regulation, therefore, is that it positively impacts service delivery. The good thing is that Lagos State already has a Regulatory Commission and part of strengthening the institution for better utility performance is the reason for the trip”, Shodeinde said.
The visit to the Shimabala Pumping Station, Iolanda water intake and waterworks, booster station at Chilanga and the main Stuart Park Reservoirs in Lusaka waterworks revealed a hundred per cent capacity utilisation.
The Lagos State delegation, led by Shodeinde, was received by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, Republic of Zambia, Joe Kalusa; the Managing of Director of the Lusaka Water and Sewage Company, Jonathan Kampata; the Director-General of the Water Resource Management Authority, and Country Director, WaterAid Zambia, Pamela Chisanga, among others.
OA/TMS/OS
CAPTION:
PIX: (L-R) Pamela Chisanga, Country Director, WaterAid Zambia; Joe Kalusa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, Republic of Zambia; Funke Adepoju, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO); Engr. Lekan Shodeinde, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources and Evelyn Mere, Country Director, WaterAid, Nigeria, during the study tour by LASWARCO to Zambia.
