Tunji Wusu –
The governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated that his administration is committed to ensuring that people have easy access to clean water and good hygiene, stressing that they are essential for a person’s survival and their constitutional rights.
Speaking at the 4th Lagos International Water Conference (LIWAC), with the topic “Attaining Sanitation and Hygiene for All in Lagos State Megacity through Regulation and Innovation,” on Wednesday at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed this resolve.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, spoke on behalf of the Governor.
“The provision of easy access to safe water and hygiene is not just because it is expected of his government but because it is a fundamental human right and it falls within the welfare policy for the state,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
The provision of public restrooms and bathrooms in each Local Government Area, the building of community wastewater treatment plants, the creation of an integrated waste management system, and the expansion and protection of water sources to enhance the city’s water supply are the four initiatives on which the governor based the state’s commitment to enhancing access to clean water and sanitation.
The megacity status of Lagos State and the rate of population growth, he emphasized, highlight the urgent need to foster efficiency in the water sector and ensure its financial viability. He also emphasized the urgent need for the government to work meticulously in administering the resources and facilities needed by the sizable population to be productive, especially in the area of sanitation.
The Governor added that the initiatives would only be successful if they were supported by a regulatory framework that encourages efficiency through innovation driven by technology and a well-designed framework that encourages private sector participation and protects the interests of all stakeholders through regulations that set clear standards, define roles and responsibili
Just then, Governor Sanwo-Olu said that his administration had worked to reposition water governance and regulatory dispensation in the state since the start of the LIWA conference in 2020 in an effort to increase water security and investment prospects.
As a result, as Lagos continues to experience rapid growth and urbanization, concerted efforts must be made to address the challenges posed by the growing demand for clean water and adequate sanitation infrastructure. According to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, water, sanitation, and hygiene are essential pillars for any community’s overall well-being and development.
She asserted that her ministry was committed to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable water management, sanitation, and hygiene in Lagos and beyond, stressing that partnerships, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among stakeholders are crucial in overcoming challenges related to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Let’s keep in mind the value of inclusivity as we work together to enhance sanitation standards and manage water resources sustainably. We must make sure that underserved areas, minority communities, and vulnerable populations are not forgotten. We can actually achieve the goal of leaving no one behind on our journey toward a healthier and more prosperous Lagos by focusing on equality, accessibility, and affordability, she said.
The Executive Secretary of Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO), Mrs. Funke Adepoju, stressed the significance of access to better sanitation and hygiene earlier in her Welcome Address. She noted that these issues have significant implications for the environment, human rights, public health, and economic development. They are important contributors to the community’s overall development, she continued.
She pointed out that the conference was a deliberate effort by the Commission to raise the subject of discussions about the numerous problems the water sector is facing, offer solutions for efficient sanitation management, and draw investment due to the sector’s wide range of economic opportunities.
Mrs. Adepoju praised the Sanwo-Olu government for its significant efforts and investments in implementing the administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda, notably in the areas of health and the environment, as well as for its dedication to fostering a sustainable, developing environment for the welfare of Lagosians.
