… As LSWRC Meets Critical Stakeholders
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has endorsed guidelines to standardise the production of drinking and packaged water quality in Lagos State.
The approved standards are in consonance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on improved Clean Water and Sanitation.
Executive Secretary of Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC), Mrs. Funke Femi Adepoju, who disclosed this during separate stakeholders’ meetings with the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) and Nigeria Water and Sanitation Association (NIWASA), said the guidelines would go a long way in assisting operators in the water production, distribution and sale industry to achieve global best practices.
According to Adepoju, a recent report of the World Health Organisation indicated that 3.4 million people, mostly children, die annually from water-related diseases, adding that government is committed to promoting good water resource management, access to safe water and a secured environment through a regulatory framework which seeks to ensure service providers adhere to quality standards.
While noting that the meeting with stakeholders became imperative for inclusiveness, Adepoju said in view of the challenges of access to potable water for residents, alternatives and an enabling environment are being encouraged by the State Government.
The President of ATWAP, Alhaji Adeoye commended the leadership of the Commission for engaging the Association, saying that the group is ready to partner with the government to sanitise activities of members in line with regulatory provisions.
He, however, implored the State government to support the association as well as profer solutions to some of their grievances.
Also speaking, NIWASA President, Mr. Dayo Adesuyi commended the new leadership of the Commission for its efforts so far in regulating the industry and expressed readiness of the Association to collaborate with the Commission to protect groundwater and ensure consumption of safe water by residents.
He said NIWASA is a body made up of professionals in the water industry including geologists, chemical engineers, water treatment experts, mining engineers, among others, disclosing that various areas of collaboration with the government have been identified to regulate the industry for achieving the best practices.
