The Lagos State Water Regulatory Body has informed citizens of Lagos that the trend of extracting water from the ground by both private and public bodies as well as other water-related matters would now be regulated in the state.
Speaking on Sunrise, 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.
Fagbohun also addressed rumours about water taxation. “There is no desire at all by the state to tax you for bringing out water from your boreholes,” he said adding that the agency would only “monitor, guide and advise.”
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.