Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has promised to complete the abandoned 70 million-gallon per day Adiyan Water Project.
Sanwo-Olu made the promise at the 5th Edition of the Lagos International Water Conference at Eko Hotel, Lagos.
Speaking on the theme: ‘Financing Water & Sanitation For a Greater Lagos,’ while highlighting the crucial importance of financial resources in achieving the goals of water security, accessibility, and sustainability, Sanwo-Olu said, “For us it is not just about lip service. We want to move away from rhetorics, we want action. Let it not be just a talk shop where we exchange ideas and nothing happens in the next one year.
“We have been training our officials and that has not given solutions. Let’s stop this rhetoric. We want to build partnership, let us identify what needs to be done.
“Whatever that will take us, we are going to complete 7 million gallons per day of Adiyan water treatment plant. If I’m making myself as an example, I’m looking for partners. It has always been proposals, we need people that are committed.”
Speaking as a special guest of honour at the event, the minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev said Lagos being a mini Nigeria requires that she must get right, noting “If Lagos gets it right, Nigeria will get it right.”
He added, “Lagos has its challenges when it comes to water sanitation. Water is not just a basic need but also crucial to healthy living.
“Lagos faces multi-facetted challenges as regard water sanitation as a result of rapid population growth and infrastructural challenges.”
The minister stated that in addressing these challenges it requires concerted efforts and innovative strategies.
He advised for a community based and private partnership to address the water sanitation challenges, saying micro finance institutions could provide loans in this regard.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab said the conference served as a platform to come together, share knowledge, and explore innovative solutions to address the challenges on sustainable water management.
|n her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO), Mrs Funke Adepoju said, “Over the next two days, we will engage in insightful discussions and deliberate on innovative financing models and strategies. These conversations are crucial and intentional for Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration as we seek to achieve sustainable development in the water and sanitation sector and ensure that every resident of Lagos has access to these essential services.
