Lagos proposes new rates for wastewater, sewage management

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The Lagos State Government has commenced moves to harmonise rates and charges for wastewater and faecal sludge management as part of efforts to strengthen regulation, improve service delivery and establish a financially sustainable framework for the sector.

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The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office presented its proposed rates and charges to the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission during a recent regulatory engagement at LASWARCO’s office in Alausa, Ikeja.

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The presentation was led by the General Manager of LSWMO, Adefemi Afolabi, alongside heads of strategic departments of the agency.

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The move comes amid increasing wastewater generation in Lagos, driven by the state’s growing population and rapid urbanisation, with the government seeking to improve compliance with environmental and sanitation standards.

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Receiving the LSWMO delegation, the Executive Secretary of LASWARCO, Mrs Bukola Adeyemo, welcomed the initiative and stressed the need for a regulatory framework capable of ensuring effective service delivery while protecting public health and the environment.

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The engagement, according to the government, was intended to improve coordination between the two agencies and establish “clear, equitable and enforceable regulatory provisions” for wastewater and faecal sludge management.

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Afolabi said the proposed rates and charges were critical to creating a sustainable wastewater management system in the state.

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He said a structured tariff regime would give property owners, businesses, facility managers, service providers and other stakeholders greater certainty about the cost and regulatory requirements associated with wastewater services.

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According to him, the framework would also support the state government’s wider objective of ensuring that wastewater and faecal sludge were managed safely and in accordance with environmental standards.

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“We are laying the foundation for a more structured wastewater and faecal sludge management regime capable of safeguarding waterways, protecting communities and advancing the vision of a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos,” Afolabi said.

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The proposed framework is also expected to strengthen regulatory compliance and accountability across the wastewater value chain, while creating a more predictable basis for planning, monitoring and delivering wastewater and faecal sludge management services.

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The government said the reform was particularly important given the growing volume of wastewater generated across Lagos and the need to ensure that its collection, treatment and disposal do not pose risks to waterways or communities.

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The initiative forms part of the LSWMO’s broader regulatory reforms aimed at repositioning wastewater management as a key component of environmental governance, public health protection and sustainable urban development in Lagos.

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The agency said the proposed rates and charges would not become operational immediately, as the framework is subject to further technical, regulatory and legislative consideration.

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Following the engagement with LASWARCO, the proposed rates and charges are expected to proceed to the legislative stage for presentation and consideration before the required approval and gazetting process.

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The government said the process was intended to establish a wastewater management system that is environmentally compliant, financially sustainable and professionally regulated, while responding to the needs of a rapidly urbanising state.

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