WaterAid Nigeria, Cummins Hold A Day Meeting of WASH Service Providers with LASWARCO, Supported by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Yemisi Dada

This is a need for more collaborative efforts between the Lagos State government and private sector to combat the challenges in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, sector to enable residents have access to clean and safe water in the state.

Executive Secretary, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, LASWARCO, Mrs Funke Adepoju, made the call at a one-day stakeholders’ meeting of WASH service providers organised by an NGO, WaterAid Nigeria with the support of Cummins and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Mrs Adepoju who identified challenges in the WASH sector to include inadequate infrastructure, funding constraints, environmental concerns and public health risks, urged the private sector to invest more in the sector, while commending WaterAid Nigeria for all its interventions in Ikorodu North and other LCDAs in Lagos.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt
gratitude to all the organizers, speakers, and participants who have made this
event possible. Your commitment to improving WASH services in Lagos is commendable, and I’m confident that our collaborative efforts will yield positive results. As we embark on this journey of dialogue and collaboration, let us remember that the health and well-being of our citizens depends on the quality of the water and sanitation services we provide.
Together, we can build a future where every individual has access to safe water
and sanitation, thereby enhancing the quality of life in our beloved Lagos”

Earlier, Head Lagos Programme, WaterAid Nigeria, Dr Adebayo Alao, who harped on regular hand washing, said the objective of the Stakeholders forum was to bridge the gap between regulatory bodies and business stakeholders’ in the WASH sector to enhance best practices with use of technology in service delivery for the benefit of all residents in Lagos.

“In line with SDG goal 6, we are here to ensure that every citizen of Lagos has
access to safe, reliable, and sustainable water and sanitation services, as well as know the challenges we face in the WASH sector and brainstorm on ways to find a lasting solution to the challenges and carry every stakeholders’ in the Water and Sanitation Hygiene sector along in ensuring a sustainable clean and safe water for all residents in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole”

After group discussion and deliberation on challenges and solutions recommendations, stakeholders advocated elimination of quacks, more government engagement with stakeholders’, flexibility of policies by regulators, reduction of taxes and duties on water chemicals, equipment to enable sustainability of producing companies, as well as accessibility of government grants and loans for WASH businesses to thrive in Lagos.

Stakeholders at the Parley included representatives of Table water producers Association of Nigeria, Public toilets owners, Sewage sludgers association, Sanitation and Hygiene Experts, relevant Government agencies and the Media.

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