The Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE) has inaugurated its Lagos chapter, with Ibrahim Abiodun as the pioneer chairman, following an election by the members.

In an address on Saturday in Lagos, Adeyinka Sobowale, national chairman of NIWA, said that the Abiodun-led executive would run for a period of two years.

Mr Sobowale said that with the inauguration of the NIWE Lagos chapter, the institution’s chapters across the country had increased to 15.

He expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated executive of the Lagos chapter would deliver on its mandate while urging members to work hard and selflessly.

According to him, NIWE members are highly trained, competent professionals who can engage the government on imminent water challenges and proffer solutions and ways forward.

Mr Sobowale said Lagos was an important state with a multifaceted water supply challenge; hence, inaugurating the chapter would surely help the state government and the nation at large.

“As a concerned institution saddled with the responsibility of developing water resources and ensuring best practices, NIWE owes it a duty to deploy its think tank team to Lagos State.

“Government must not to be alone in solving the problem of water. Professionals, stakeholders and water users have the responsibility to ensure effective water supply, distribution and maintenance.

“Water supply has assumed an integrated approach worldwide, and everybody is concerned because it is an essential commodity needed for survival.

“All stakeholders must be brought on board to sensitise the public on the judicious use of water, ensuring that there is no illegal connection, adequate distribution and safeguarding of our water source,” he said.

In his remark, Mukhtaar Tijani, group managing director, Lagos State Water Corporation, expressed confidence that under the pioneer leadership, the NIWE Lagos chapter would reach new heights and set benchmarks in the water engineering field that will inspire generations to come.

The managing director,  however, said that water and sanitation concerns were not just technical issues.

“They are matters of life and death, as approximately two billion people across the world lack access to improved water sources,” he said.

Mr Tijani charged NIWE members and policyholders to break away from old paradigms and proactively address water and sanitation problems.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Abiodun commended NIWE  for inaugurating the Lagos chapter of the institute.

“We will partner with the Lagos State Water Corporation, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Environment and Water Resources to improve water supply, hygiene, distribution and maintenance,” he added.

(NAN)