Lagos commits to improved sustainable water supply, sanitation

Lagos State government has reiterated commitment to improving the lives of millions through sustainable water and sanitation solutions.

Executive secretary, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO), Funke Adepoju, who spoke at the just concluded fifth Lagos International Water Conference (LIWAC) with the theme: ‘Financing water and sanitation for a greater Lagos’, said the commission is united by a shared commitment to improving the lives of millions through sustainable water and sanitation solutions.

She stressed the importance of sustainable water and sanitation solutions in the state, highlighting the need for adequate financial resources to support infrastructure development.

According to her, the state needs to achieve sustainable development in the water and sanitation sector, and ensure that every resident of Lagos has access to these essential services.

“In setting new benchmarks for progress, our specific objectives include developing innovative financing models to achieve sustainable water and sanitation solutions in Lagos.”

She noted that the nature of the water and sanitation sector requires implementing a pragmatic regulatory framework with high-level political championship and support.

On his part, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said adequate financing is essential to improve water infrastructure, strengthen governance frameworks, promote water conservation and enhance the resilience of the water systems in the face of climate change and other challenges.

Meanwhile, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated that his administration is committed to healthy living, a clean environment and effective water resource management.

He said his administration, in the last five years, had been dedicated to financing conferences, ensuring that ongoing discussion about strengthening water resource management is sustained.

“We have been pushing. Our focus includes regulating the water sector, promoting public-private partnership, which will foster operational efficiency of our Lagos State Water Corporation, the Office of Waste Water Management, one of our regulatory agencies and other related agencies in the water sector,” the governor said.

Also, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlimun Utsev, called for concerted efforts and innovative financing mechanisms.

Utsev said the financing of water and sanitation infrastructure remains a critical hurdle, not only for Lagos State, but for the country at large.

He lamented that Lagos faces multifaceted challenges in the realm of water and sanitation.

“Rapid urbanisation, inadequate infrastructure, population growth, climate change are some of the challenges that Lagos State is facing,” Utsev lamented.