The Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wogu Boms, has described as revolutionary and ground breaking the Rivers State Water Sector Development Law.
Barrister Boms who said this during the Rivers State Water Sector Development Conference 2013 in Port Harcourt also said that the effective implementation of the law will ensure sustainable water supply in the State.
Highlighting some aspects of the law, the Attorney General said that the new law has outlaw the activities of night soil men as well as commercialized the production and distribution of water.
He said that, the law also empowers the Port Harcourt water corporation to collect all forms of water rates from consumers.
The commissioner said that the law which establishes the Rivers State Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Agency also seeks to involve the communities in the protection of water service as well as the formation of Water Consumer Association.
He said that laws also compels owners of boreholes to pay rate to the government as well as renews their licences.
Hon Boms urged for the support of the people to ensure the success of the law, stressing that its effective implementations depend on the support and cooperation of the people.
In her lecture entitles, “Water Cooperation: A Key To Socio-Economic Development, Poverty Eradication, Social Equity and Gender Equality,” Mrs Priscillia Achakpa lauded the State Water Sector Reform, stressing that the reforms will enhance the distribution of water in the State.
Mrs Achakpa who is the National Coordinator Water and Sanitation collaborative Council, said that the reforms also seeks to enhance quality of water distribution in households.