Adiyan water project to be completed in 18 months- Sanwo-Olu
By Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised that the 70 million-gallon per day Adiyan Water Project which had been abandoned for a number of years, would be completed in 18months.
While speaking at the 5th Edition of the Lagos International Water Conference at Eko Hotel with the theme, ‘Financing Water & Sanitation For a Greater Lagos,’the governor noted that there had been a lot of talks and discussion in the past around providing good water for Lagosians but now is the time for action.
He said financing plays a crucial role in achieving the goals of water security, accessibility, and sustainability.
“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 it will take us, we are going to complete 7 million gallons per day of Adiyan water treatment plant in the next 12 to 18 months, we want to change the narrative,“ he said.
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 it 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.
The Commissioner for 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.
“As the population of Lagos continues to grow, the demand for water resources escalates, placing significant pressure on our existing infrastructure and systems.
“It is imperative that we find sustainable and innovative ways to finance and manage our water resources to meet the needs of our growing population,” the commissioner noted.
|n her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO), Mrs. Funke Adepoju said the conference was to 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,” she said.
