IMPROVED SANITATION: LAGOS STATE WATER REGULATORY COMMISSION MEETS SEWAGE, WASTEWATERS DISLODGERS
The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) recently met with the Sewage and Wastewater Dislodgers Association of Nigeria (SWADAN) in0 line with the present administrations commitment to improve sanitation services across the length and breath of the State.
Addressing members of SWADAN, the Executive Secretary of LASWARCO, Mrs ‘Funke Adepoju said the meeting was conceived to reiterate the powers of Commission to regulate all water and wastewater activities in the public and private sector of the State and to find common grounds to achieve the sanitation objectives of the State which has become expedient in view of the Sustainable Development Goal 6:2 tailored to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation in Lagos.
She emphasised that the stakeholders’ engagement has become essential to ensure that structures are set regarding standards, licensing, guidelines, tariffs, coverage area and other regulatory provisions to achieve citywide Inclusive Sanitation.
She said, “This partnership is most essential because the dynamics of sewage disposal and treatment has advanced worldwide. Lagos State cannot be left behind. Thus the state Wastewater Management Office as the service provider is poised to improve the methods used”.
Adepoju further said there is a need to know specific indices, duration, volume evacuated, areas covered and transport for a robust database that can be used to upscale and transform the sector”.
Also speaking, Engr. Adebola Matanmi, General Manager of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LASWMO), who was represented by the Director, Policy, Planning and Programmes, Mr. Ayodeji Awolesi opined that collaboration is the new efficiency.
The General Manager said, “We have seen how sewage management has improved the world over using ecologically safe systems, regulation is the way forward for the sector”.
Chief ‘Tunde Afowedu, SWADAN’s President, expressed the readiness of the Association to cooperate with the State Government towards an improved sanitation.
He said, “We agree that the business of sewage management has advanced, we are eager to improve, we will escalate enlightenment received to our members and adopt new methods”.