LASG reaffirms Commitment to Water Service Delivery

Thu, Jun 14, 2018 | By publisher


Environment

THE Lagos State government has reaffirmed its commitment to the uninterrupted delivery of clean and potable water to Lagos residents.

 

During a media briefing at the weekend, Muminu Adekunle Badmus, managing director, Lagos Water Corporation,  declared that the State government does not intend to privatise the State Water sector, but is rather investing heavily in the provision of potable water supply to the ever-increasing population of the State.

 

Badmus explained that the State recently funded and completed short-term plans to improve water production and supply to Lagos residents by the rehabilitation of the major waterworks – Adiyan 70MGD, Iju 40MGD, and Ishasi 4MGD; as well as Akute and 48 mini-waterworks across the State.

 

According to him, the repair works have enhanced output and improved water distribution in the State, thereby reducing the hardship experienced by Lagosians in getting water to their various homes.

 

Badmus noted that as part of the long-term plans of the State, the corporation has developed the Lagos Water Supply Master Plan (2010 – 2020) which includes the ongoing construction of Adiyan Phase II to enhance its capacity to 70 million gallons per day, connection of over 200,000 premises and additional three million residents.

 

“On completion, it will boost water pressure in urban areas of the western axis of Lagos State. These include Ikeja, Agege, Dopemu, Mushin and parts of Ikorodu and Igbogbo Township” he said.

 

“To be frank, the Adiyan II water treatment plant is 85 percent completed, and the reticulation billed for PPP is the only viable option” Badmus added.

 

He disclosed that the Igbonla Phase I, Water Scheme of 100 million gallons per/day, which will complement current production and close demand gap when completed, is also part of the State government’s long-term plans to supply potable water to Victoria Island – Lekki corridor, adding that discussions are ongoing with the contractor to encourage Public-Private Participation, PPP, in the water sector.

 

He said the Lagos State Government is also investing heavily in other projects to attract private investors and engender injection of fresh funds that will generate ideas as well as creative strategies to grow the sector.

 

In his words, “it has been realised by governments worldwide that funding of government programmes and projects can no longer be sustained by the government alone as evidenced in the global economic recession and decline in oil revenue. This has therefore led public sectors in the world into resorting to seeking private intervention and participation in the implementation of government policies”.

 

The LWC boss explained the State government is focused on inclusion of the private sector in the development of agenda of Lagos State to accelerate service delivery rather than the sale of government-owned assets to private entities.

 

“The Second National Urban Water Sector Reform Project, 2NUWSRP, in collaboration with World Bank is geared toward supporting the Lagos Water Corporation in this direction” he buttressed.

 

He expressed confidence that Private-Public Partnership will encourage efficiency that will curb waste, eradicate delayed delivery and forestall abandonment usually associated with public projects.

 

Badmus revealed that other projects still in the works are Yewa I, Ishasi Expansion, Igbonla II, Adiyan III, Yewa II, Ibeshe I and Ibeshe II.

 

 

June 14, 2018 @ 16:35 GMT |

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