Lagos proposes new wastewater, faecal sludge rates and charges

The Lagos State Government, via the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), has suggested new rates and charges for managing wastewater and faecal sludge. This proposal was discussed with the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) in Alausa, Ikeja. The proposal aims to enhance regulation, improve service delivery, and create a transparent, sustainable financial system for wastewater and faecal sludge management in Lagos.

The LSWMO and LASWARCO are working together to establish clear, fair, and enforceable rules for wastewater and faecal sludge management services.

The General Manager of LSWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi, highlighted the importance of the proposed rates in establishing a sustainable wastewater management system. The increasing population, growing wastewater production, and the necessity for better compliance with environmental and sanitation standards underscore the significance of these rates.

The Executive Secretary of LASWARCO, Mrs Bukola Khadijah Adeyemo, endorsed the initiative, stressing the need for a robust regulatory framework to boost service delivery, safeguard public health, and foster environmental sustainability. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had previously pledged to eliminate infrastructural shortcomings in liquid waste management and sanitation, stressing the importance of enhancing LSWMO's capacity to handle faecal sludge and prevent waterborne diseases through joint efforts with WaterAid Nigeria.

The proposed rates will undergo additional legislative review before approval and gazetting. Lagos currently discharges 2.2 million cubic meters of untreated domestic wastewater daily. The new rate proposal is part of LSWMO's broader efforts to position wastewater management as a vital aspect of Lagos' environmental governance, public health protection, and sustainable urban development.