The Ayodele Fayose-led government in Ekiti State has set up a water regulatory unit as part of efforts at ensuring efficient and sustainable supply of potable water in the state.
Speaking during the inauguration of the unit, the State Commissioner for Public Utilities, Chief Tunde Ogunleye explained that the unit would regulate the production, distribution, supply and usage of water as well as the quality of service and charges payable to guarantee viability of the sector.
Chief Ogunleye who said that the current State Water Supply and Sanitation Policy (WSS) has a provision for the establishment of a Water Regulatory Agency, stressed that formation of the unit was a prelude to the setting up of a full-fledged agency.
Ogunleye said that the stopgap measure was due to the developing nature of water service providers who he listed to include the State Water Corporation (EKSWC), Ekiti State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Unit (STOWU), Ekiti State Small Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (EKRUWASSA), Water Consumers Association (WCAs) as well as all private operators of underground water in the State.
According to him, the regulatory unit will control water distribution to guarantee high quality of water, efficiency and sustainability as well as reduce waste while promoting access to basic lifetime supplies regardless of location.
The Commissioner added that the unit would also handle dispute resolutions and ensure prompt response to consumers’ complaints to protect their interest in addition to managing tariff which he said would take cognizance of issues of affordability, cost recovery, return on investment, sector financial stability subsidies, pro-poor, rural dwellers and other vulnerable consumers such as the aged, women and children.
Expressing gratitude to State’s development partners such as the World Bank and the European Union (EU) for their assistance in the efforts at developing the State, Ogunleye said that the State has benefited tremendously from the expertise of consultants from the Third National Urban Water Sector Reform Program (NUWSRP-3), EU-WSSSRP III and UNICEF who have been sharing their wealth of experience and adding value to the State water sector.
He also solicited the continued support of all stakeholders in the efforts at developing the State and improving the lot of the people stressing the need for residents to ensure proper maintenance and safety of all public utilities.
The Water Regulatory Unit which has its members drawn from different Government Ministries has the Director Planning Research and Statistics in the Ministry of Public Utilities, Engr. Osalade Ayodele as Chairman.
Others members of the unit are Barrister Sulaiman Olalekan from the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Bakare Caroline from the Ministry of Health, Mr. Oni Joseph from the Accountant General’s office and Mr. Abosede Festus from the Ministry of Information.
Packaged by Omotoyosi Jesuleye
