LAGOS REVOKES REGULATORY CERTIFICATION OF SOME WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE PROVIDERS
The Lagos State Government has decertified licenses of water and wastewater treatment plants of some private organizations for non-compliance with the provisions of the State Water sector Law.
The Executive Secretary of the State Water Regulatory Commission, Arc. Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi made this known on Thursday during an enforcement exercise to some service providers in the State, stressing that the rate at which untreated wastewater was being discharged into the drains and water bodies in the State indiscriminately must be brought under control.
He said: “A situation where service providers will refuse to comply with regulations and continue to operate boreholes illegally without borehole permits and abstract water without relevant licenses and discharge untreated wastewater without certified wastewater facilities will not be tolerated any longer”.
While maintaining that this untoward behaviour by the organizations was becoming alarmingly worrisome and capable of damaging the environment, the Executive Secretary lamented that in spite of the several correspondences, inspections and numerous meetings earlier held with all parties concerned for over a year, the service providers were still unwilling to comply with the provisions of the law.
He emphasised that the present administration, being a very responsive and responsible Government, would no longer fold its hands and watch the pollution of the groundwater and State water bodies through indiscriminate discharge of waste and wastewater.
In this regard, he informed that the State Government is taking proactive steps to ensure the preservation and conservation of its underground water to ensure safety of lives and a sustainable and viable water sector, stressing that the Agency will not rest on its oars until it ensures full compliance with the provisions of the law on the regulation of the Water sector in the State.
According to him, the State Regulatory Commission was mandated to regulate the provision of water and Waste Water Services in Lagos State in compliance with developed standard practices.
Arc. Abdulahi, therefore, urged all service providers in the water sector to regularise their operations and get requisite licenses and permits, noting that the provisions of the law should be strictly adhered to as ignorance of the law will no longer be condoned and the full weight of the law will be brought down on all violators.
He restated that the intention of the State government is to ensure a well-regulated water sector devoid of abuse by all Stakeholders, which according to him, will make the Sector attractive and participatory for the private sector and will bring huge investment to the State.