Bauchi stakeholders push for WASH regulatory commission

Stakeholders in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Bauchi State have called for the establishment of a regulatory commission to coordinate and enforce standards in the sector.

The call was made at the end of a two-day stakeholders’ workshop organised by WaterAid, with funding from DP WORLD, a multinational logistics company on Thursday in Bauchi.

A representative of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Mr Jinjiri Garba, highlighted the importance of a regulatory body in streamlining the operations of various WASH service providers and protect the rights of consumers.

He said a dedicated body would help to improve oversight and sustainability in the sector.

Mr Musa Adamu, a WASH expert, corroborated what Garba said, emphasising the urgency for a regulatory framework, which he said was overdue “to ensure access to safe, affordable and quality water services across the state.”

On his part, Mr Adebayo Alao, a Consultant with WaterAid, said the biggest challenge facing the WASH sector was not funding, but the lack of reliable data and comprehensive planning.

He added that “we need equity and fairness in regulation to ensure no citizen is left behind.”

Alao advised government to provide supportive environment, including access to loan to prevent exploitation and substandard service delivery by private operators.

Meanwhile, stakeholders at the workshop inaugurated a seven-member committee tasked with drafting modalities for setting up the WASH regulatory commission.

Chaired by Alhaji Habib Sadiq, the General Manager of the Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), the committee’s responsibilities include immediate registration and licensing of WASH service providers such as borehole drillers, water tanker operators, manual pit emptiers and sachet water vendors.

The committee is also expected to develop self-regulatory mechanisms, ensure fair pricing for all categories of water users and set standards to safeguard both service providers and consumers.

Alhaji Dawud Yakubu, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Civil Service, urged the committee to collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies to generate reliable data that would fast-track the establishment of the regulatory body by the middle of next year.

Participants at the workshop included representatives from government MDAs, CSOs, the WASH Media Network and groups representing people with disabilities.