Lagos court convicts illegal water service providers

The Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, (LSWRC) has arraigned some illegal Waters Service Providers in the state through the Lagos State Water Sector Court.

The Water Service Providers were on Wednesday prosecuted after their arrest during the week by the Compliance Monitoring Enforcement Team which was led by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Arc. Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi, for non-compliance with the Lagos State Groundwater Quality Control Regulation and the Lagos State Drinking Water Quality Standard as stipulated by the Lagos State Water Sector Law (LSWSL) 2004.

The presiding Magistrate, Magistrate Owolabi who convicted the illegal water service providers to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N150,000.00.

The Magistrate also ordered their premises sealed until upon presentation of evidence of satisfactory compliance to the court within the next two weeks.

The Executive Secretary declared that there would be zero tolerance on illegal activities of quacks in the water sector as the state is committed to the provision of safe and wholesome water for Lagosians stressing that service providers who are compromising the safety of Lagosians who depends on them for clean and safe water will be brought to book.

Those prosecuted include: Motkleen Premium Table Water of No. 17, Kemi Salami Street Obadore LASU road, Isheri Express Way, Sanco Waters, of 6th Avenue, 13 Rd, Plot 926 Festac Town and Lodgers Water, Block 6, Plot 12, Garden J Extension, Satellite Town Lagos.

Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi, also stressed that henceforth, illegal water service providers will no longer be tolerated, warning that any water service provider found wanting will be made to face the full weight of the law.

The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission further advised all stakeholders in the water sector to ensure that they comply fully with the provisions of the law as stipulated by the Lagos State Water Sector Law (LSWSL) 2004.