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.
General
Court Rules FCCPC Can Sanction MTN, Airtel, Other Telcos

By Adedapo Adesanya
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has the legal authority to regulate competition and consumer protection in all sectors, including telecommunications.
The ruling of the court on Friday, February 7, 2025, affirmed the agency’s statutory authority to regulate competition and consumer protection across all sectors, including telecommunications despite the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) role in the industry as contained in the FCCP Act of 2018.
The protection body in December threatened to sanction the telcos amid an investigation due to the poor service offerings to customers.
The court dismissed a lawsuit by an MTN shareholder, Mr Emeka Nnubia, who sought to block the FCCPC’s investigation, ruling that the agency acted within its powers in summoning MTN and requesting information, which did not violate data protection laws.
Mr Nnubia argued that the FCCPC’s inquiry could violate data protection laws and that regulatory authority over MTN resided with the NCC rather than the FCCPC.
The ruling clarifies that while the NCC regulates telecom operations, it does not have exclusive authority over competition issues, reinforcing the need for cooperation between regulators while affirming FCCPC’s primary role in competition and consumer protection enforcement.
The ruling also confirms that FCCPC acted within its statutory powers in issuing a summons to MTN Nigeria as part of its ongoing inquiry into potential anti-competitive practices.
On the issue of cost, the court acknowledged that the case raised important questions regarding the evolving landscape of competition and consumer protection law in Nigeria.
While the court recognised that costs ordinarily follow events, it declined to award costs due to the public interest significance of the case.
The court also held that entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with sector regulators is not a condition precedent for FCCPC’s enforcement of its statutory functions. Instead, it is the obligation of sector regulators to engage with organisation to define working arrangements, not the other way round.
The development was welcomed by the FCCPC in a statement on Sunday, noting that it floored MTN at the court.
“The ruling reaffirms that FCCPC’s jurisdiction remains paramount in competition and consumer protection matters, while also recognising the role of the NCC in regulating telecommunications operations,” the statement said.
General
FG Pledges to Revive Atlantic Refinery Project

By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, has expressed dismay over the abandonment of the Atlantic Refinery project in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, promising to rejuvenate it.
Mr Lokpobiri made this commitment during an inspection visit to Ewa-ama Road, which leads to the Brass Petroleum Products Terminal (BPPT), where he engaged with key community stakeholders.
He assured stakeholders that the federal government would review the project to ensure its eventual completion.
“The federal government remains committed to completing critical infrastructure projects that drive economic growth and improve livelihoods. This project will be thoroughly reviewed to ensure its eventual completion,” he pledged.
The Minister commended the people of Brass for their peaceful disposition despite the challenges posed by the refinery’s abandonment, urging them to sustain the peace.
“Stability is crucial for attracting further investments and development to the region,” he emphasised.
Reaffirming President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to delivering on key development projects, Mr Lokpobiri reiterated that the government remains dedicated to advancing initiatives that will benefit the Niger Delta.
The Minister was accompanied on the visit by Mr Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), as part of efforts to assess and fast-track key projects in the region.
General
Obi Urges Transparency, Accountability as 2025 Budget Swells 9%

By Adedapo Adesanya
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has called for transparency and accountability as a result of the recent increase in the 2025 budget by 9.1 per cent to N54.2 trillion.
Mr Obi, in a message on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, said while the sources of revenue were detailed, there was no corresponding breakdown of expenditures to justify the budget increase.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday raised the proposed budget by 9 per cent from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion, citing additional revenues generated by key government agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other government-owned agencies.
Mr Obi, in his message, stressed the need for Nigerians to be informed on how public funds are allocated and spent.
“For transparency and accountability sake, Nigerians need to know how the resources generated from them are being allocated to ensure that they are judiciously spent on the country’s development and the well-being of the people,” Mr Obi said.
He added that budgetary expenditures should be directed toward critical areas of development, including education, healthcare, security, and poverty alleviation, to ensure meaningful impact on citizens’ lives.
“Yesterday, I read about the increase in the Budget of Restoration to ₦54 trillion due to increased revenue.
“While the sources of this revenue were detailed, there is no corresponding breakdown of expenditures to justify the increase. For transparency and accountability sake,” part of the statement read.
He said Nigerians are still waiting for a detailed account of the execution and expenditures of the Renewed Hope budget, which was passed in December 2023, calling on the National Assembly to seize this opportunity to obtain and make public the full details of the 2024 budget of Renewed Hope budget.
He also called on lawmakers and government officials to prioritise openness and accountability to safeguard public trust as preparations begin for the 2025 Budget of Restoration.
“Transparency in this regard is crucial for ensuring accountability, learning from past budgets, and making informed decisions for the nation’s progress.
“As we work towards passing the Budget of Restoration for 2025, let us uphold openness, accountability, and the welfare of the Nigerian people. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the future of our great nation,” he stated.
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