Lagos Water Regulatory Commission, Usaid Collaborate On Strengthening Regulation In Water Sector

The representatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) led by Dr. Joachim Ezeji and Chief of Party, Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (LUWASH), Mr. James Racicot have met with officials of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) towards the commencement of the implementation process to institutionalise regulation as a critical component of water governance in the State’s water sector.

Speaking at the meeting held recently at the Secretariat, Alausa, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. ‘Funke Adepoju commended the intervention of USAID to support the ongoing efforts by LASWARCO to achieve its mandate in the regulation of the water and wastewater sector in line with global best practices.

She explained that the engagement is a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Lagos State Government on Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (LUWASH) to improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene across the State.

Her words: “We appreciate USAID’s support and input in the annual Lagos International Water Conference (LIWAC) which gives opportunity for stakeholders to brainstorm on the strategic improvement of the water value chain. I, therefore, seek technical assistance within the scope of LUWASH in capacity building for staff of the commission”.

In his remarks, Dr. Joachim Ezeji, who led the USAID delegation, said the Agency has been monitoring the water sector in Lagos State and is committed to partnering with the present administration to strengthen the regulatory framework through the Commission for the implementation of the LUWASH to improve governance and enhance water and sanitation services.

According to him, USAID is keen on collaborating with the Lagos State Government at improving infrastructure and strengthening its regulatory mandate towards ensuring that citizens can trust their water sources to guarantee their good health.

James Racicot, Chief of Party of the Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (LUWASH), asserted that the project is an integrated approach to improve water supply, manage its demand within a strengthened regulated framework to ensure free access to sanitation services for low-income communities.