The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to the provision of safe drinking water for the people by further empowering its Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO).
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this at the ‘Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting ‘ with Packaged Water Producers in Alausa, Ikeja.
Addressing the Stakeholders, the Commissioner said, “The Government will support the Water Regulatory Commission to achieve its goals to ensure safe, clean drinkable water since it was established to regulate standards in the packaged water industry by enforcing the minimum benchmark for producers.”
Earlier in her speech, the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, Mrs ‘Funke Adepoju reiterated the purpose of the meeting to reinforce the guidelines for the packaged water services producers to improve the quality of drinking water.
“The Commission will continue to strengthen the partnership with you to protect the wellbeing of the people, hence the need for cooperation with all Stakeholders in the water production business,” Adepoju said.
Director, Quality Assurance Department in the Commission, Mr Idowu Olowu, outlined the guidelines governing the packaged water services production sector afterwhich the representative of the Technology Partners, Mr. Oluwadare unveiled the proposed digital application to make registration, licensing and payment processes seamless.
Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Omobolaji Gaji assured the Stakeholders of Government ‘s support to enhance the’ ease of doing business ‘but equally charged them on their role.
“It is a symbiotic relationship because you also have to cooperate with the Government by organizing buy- back programs to removing satchets and bottles from the streets for recycling,” Gaji said.
President of the Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria, (ATWAP), Dr. Clementina Ativie, Chairperson of the Association in Lagos, Mrs Omolabake Mosaku and the President of the Hygienic Water Producers Association of Nigeria (HWAPAN), Mr Ebere Ibeawuchi including the leadership of other water producers centred their contributions on the challenges of high cost of production and multiple taxation.
They appealed to the Lagos State Government to harmonize these for overall improvement.
