Lagos to sanction sachet, bottle water companies over permit

Lagos State Government has vowed to sanction any water service provider and borehole drillers, yet to regularise its documents with its agency.

 This came barely three days after the state Government shut CWAY Nigeria Drinking Water Science and Technology Company Limited and Figol Water, for non-declaration of its facilities and non-compliance with the Lagos State Water Sector Law (LSWSL) 2004. The state government plans was contained in statement made available to Vanguard, by the Mrs. Adunola Abe, Head, Press and Public Affairs Unit of the State Water Regulatory Commission, LSWRC. According to the statement, the Executive Secretary LSWRC, Mr. Ahmed Abdullahi, said that sachet, bottle and other water provider operating without the requisite approval are violating Lagos State Water Sector Law (LSWSL) 2004. It said “the Government is set to implement the provisions of the Lagos State Water Sector Law (LSWSL) 2004.” He noted that Borehole operators and water service providers yet to obtain permits for water abstraction would be sanctioned. The Executive Secretary stated that the State government would no longer fold its hands and watch the pollution of the groundwater through indiscriminate abstraction and illegal borehole drilling that is polluting the groundwater on a daily basis. He revealed that the 1st and 2nd aquifers of water underground are the worst hit and that the State Government is taking adequate steps to ensure the preservation and conservation of all the aquifers of water underground to ensure safety of lives, provision of potable water that is of good quality and a water sector that is sustainable and viable. While acknowledging the challenges associated with the supply of water to residents, Ahmed said the intention of government was to ensure a well regulated Water Sector devoid of abuse by all Stakeholders. “This he said will make the Sector attractive for participation by the private sector and will attract huge investment, stressing that by the year 2020, the present 33% water provision would rise to 100% when the sector is expected to be fully compliant with the regulations,” he added. Ahmed noted that ‘A Sustainability Plan’ on water that would include the participation of both the public and private would be launched soon by the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.