General
Lagos To Prosecute Water Sector Law Violators
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Lagos State Government said it has commenced implementation and enforcement of the State Water Sector Law enacted in 2004.
It also confirmed the establishment of the Lagos State Water Sector Court to prosecute offenders and illegal water service providers.
According to the Commissioner for Environment in the state, Mr Babatunde Adejare, stated this on Tuesday at a two-day retreat organised for officials of the water sector in Lagos State on the establishment of Lagos State Water Sector Court with the theme ‘Towards achieving a safe and sustainable water sector in Lagos State.’
Mr Adejare, who was represented at the retreat by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr Babatunde Hunpe, said that the water sector court became necessary considering the series of atrocities and illegal practices being committed by some members of the public, stressing the need to bring such illegal operators/ violators to book.
The Commissioner used the occasion to correct the erroneous perception presently filtering in some quarters that the State Government is privatizing the State owned Water Corporation.
He maintained that the position of the State Government subsists that the Government cannot do it alone; hence a public private partnership is essential in meeting the water needs of Lagosians within the shortest possible time.
“The truth is that the State government is not pleased with the present practice of giving bail outs to the Lagos Water Corporation because of non-payment of water bills by water consumers” the Commissioner stated.
Mr Adejare added that government will continue to regulate the water sector to make it attractive for private sector investment in order to lessen the burden of expenses being incurred by the State government while also giving quality services to the general public. This according to him should not be misinterpreted to mean that the Lagos Water Corporation is being privatised.
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation, Engr Muminu Badmos, decried the rate and adverse effects of activities of illegal water connections saying that the practice is hindering government’s drive to meet the water needs of residents of the State.
According to him, the damages caused by construction activities, illegal connections, water theft among others is becoming alarming, expressing the belief that the introduction of the water sector court would help curb the menace which had greatly affected the revenue generation of the State Government.
He warned residents of the State especially those involved in illegal water connection to desist from the act stressing that such illegal connection will not be tolerated and he maintained that only the State Water Corporation is certified to make such connections or disconnections.
The Executive Secretary of Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, Arch. Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi, bemoaned the increasing rate of waterborne diseases in hospitals in recent times, saying such development is epidemic and should be urgently addressed.
He said boreholes are also being constructed haphazardly without obtaining license from the government in line with prescribed standards provided by the Groundwater Quality Control Regulation.”
“Let me also clarify that the State Government will not tolerate illegal/ uncertified activities of water service providers who operate as quacks in the water sector as they pollute the water sources. Water abstraction, consumption and distribution must be carried out in line with the regulations,” he added.
He further explained that boreholes for domestic use in single tenement homes will not pay water rates but the boreholes will require a license before construction, while existing ones will be required to be regularised. Those who abstract water for sale and for industrial use will pay a surcharge for water consumption.
Speaking on the newly established Water Sector Court, Arch. Abdullahi said that the court will assist in the legal aspects and issues that may arise in the water sector.
The Water Sector Court according to him will among other functions prosecute individuals or companies that contravene the provisions of the State Water Sector Law of 2004 and he advised all those who are yet to comply with the licensing requirements to complete the process and obtain their relevant licenses from the Commission promptly.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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