By Rasaq Adebayo
The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission and the Sewage and Wastewater Dislodgers Association of Nigeria (SWADAN) have met to reaffirm the powers given to the Commission to regulate all water and wastewater activities in the public and private sector of the State.
Addressing the executive members of SWADAN at the maiden meeting between the two, the Executive Secretary, LASWARCO, Mrs. ‘Funke Adepoju emphasized that 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.
According to her, the need to regulate sanitation services has in view of the Sustainable Development Goal 6:2 to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation in the State formed the thrust of the maiden meeting.
She explained: “This partnership is most essential because the dynamics of sewage disposal and treatment has advanced worldwide. Lagos State cannot be left behind, the state wastewater management office is the service provider. We regulate operators, regulation is crucial to improve the methods used. We need to know specific indices, duration, volume evacuated, areas covered and transport for a database such information will upscale actualities to enable us facilitate global financial alternatives to transform the sector.”
Responding, the General Manager of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LASWMO), Engr. Adebola Matanmi, who was represented by the Director, Policy, Planning and Programmes, Mr. Ayodeji Awolesi opined that collaboration is the new efficiency.
“We have seen how sewage management has improved the world over using ecologically safe systems, regulation is the way forward for the sector,” he started.
The presentation by Engineer Adefemi Afolabi, Director, Technical Services Department centred on the basics required for improving the business.
He listed the operational chain to include waste water generation, collection, evacuation, transportation, treatment and after-treatment saying unsafe faecal handling, evacuation and dislodging practices has resulted to major public health concerns hence the urgent need for regulation.
Afolabi restated the long term benefits
accruable to the sector and State when regulation is embraced.
“Regulation will ensure compliance to public health guidelines leading to reduced waterborne diseases and improved sanitary conditions, consumers will pay for better service delivery just as turnover on investment increases, it also enables tariff setting and lays the template for a robust database of operators,” he said.
The interactive session had service providers in the wastewater sector inquire about licensing, truck coding while seeking clarification on gray areas.
The SWADAN President, Chief Tunde Afowedu said: “We agree that the business of sewage management has advanced, we are eager to improve, and we will escalate enlightenment received to our members and adopt new methods.”
