Speaking on Sunrise a program on Channels TV, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Tanwa Koya, said that the rumours circulating in the city about possible taxation on privately owned boreholes prompted the need to explain the issues.
Professor Lanre Fagbohun, an environmental expert who was a guest on the programme, explained that the Commission was saddled with primary duties including the protection of water resources of the state, ensure sustainable provision of water and creating a good business environment for investors.
A management expert, Mr Abimbola Onafowokan, explained that "one of the reasons the public isn't getting quality service in provision of water is because there is one sole supplier of water, the Lagos State Water Corporation."
He highlighted the government's plan "to open up the industry in such a way that there can be alternative sources of getting potable water reasonably priced." Investors have started operations in some parts of the city albeit on a small scale, he added.
Mrs Koya revealed that the state would soon release the official Lagos State water quality standard which is the standard that would be used as benchmark against "anybody providing drinking water in Lagos," whether it is a public or private provider.
He warned that the underground water may be depleted if the trend of private bore-holes is not regulated.
Although the exercise is yet to commence, the agency said once the regulation is passed, bore hole drillers will need to be licensed before operating in the state. Also, heavy users of water will be regulated.
*Kai, Lagos state government ehn!! I knew they would want to do this. No one uses state water again, so no more revenue for them*
0 comments: