Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Friday, inaugurated the rehabilitated one million gallons per day Akilo water facility in Ogba.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding safe water access and improving public health across the state during the inauguration.

Mr Sanwo-Olu, who described the project as a beacon of hope and result of effective partnership with development partners, urged residents of Ogba, Keke, Agege, Akilo and other users to own and maintain the facilities, and protect it from vandals.

He said the project, facilitated by WaterAid Nigeria under the Urban Water and Sanitation Access Project (UWASAP) and implemented in partnership with the Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC), represented a model of sustainability and investment that the state would continue to replicate.

“We are determined to ensure that every neighbourhood in Lagos has access to clean and reliable water supply.

“This is why we continue to strengthen partnerships that help us deliver impactful and sustainable water solutions to our people,” the governor said.

“We expect residents to take ownership of these assets and protect them, because they are for the collective good of our communities,” he said.

Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for the environment and water resources, commended WaterAid Nigeria for its intervention.

He noted that the revived facility would provide potable water to more than 100 residents in the Akilo axis through household connections and digitally operated kiosks.

“This project aligns with our commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those centred on water, sanitation and public health,” Mr Wahab said.

The country director, WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere, said the UWASAP initiative would boost access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in Lagos, adding that the organisation planned to replicate the model in other communities.

“Our goal is to provide sustainable, resilient and affordable WASH services, and Lagos remains a critical focus area,” she said.

Ms Mere also highlighted a newly developed faecal sludge management framework designed to unlock economic opportunities in the sanitation value chain and address the harmful impacts of poor sanitation practices.

The managing director, Lagos State Water Corporation, Mukhtaar Tijani, said the Akilo waterworks, constructed in 2012 but moribund for years, had been revitalised through WaterAid’s support and would now serve residents of Akilo, Agege and surrounding communities.

“This rehabilitation has restored supply to areas that have been underserved for a long time,” Mr Tijani said. 

(NAN)