WaterAid Nigeria on Thursday inaugurated a 20,000-litre solar-powered motorised borehole, water treatment unit and two water kiosks in the Omigo community, Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State.

The facility, implemented under the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement Plus (WASH+) Project, is expected to provide clean, safe and reliable water to about 1,200 residents.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere, described the project as a milestone in expanding access to safe water.

Ms Mere, represented by the Team Lead, WaterAid Nigeria, Lagos Office, Adebayo Alao, said the project was funded by the PepsiCo Foundation.

She said the intervention reflected the shared commitment of WaterAid and the PepsiCo Foundation to achieve universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.

Ms Mere urged the community, its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee (WASHCOM) and the Ikorodu North LCDA to jointly own and maintain the facility to ensure its sustainability.

She encouraged residents to embrace the “Pay-to-Sustain” model through the water kiosks to support routine operations, maintenance and repairs.

According to her, affordable user contributions will ensure reliable service delivery and protect the investment for future generations.

Ms Mere appreciated the Ikorodu North LCDA chairman for facilitating access to the community and commended residents for embracing the intervention.

She reaffirmed WaterAid’s commitment to supporting the Lagos State Government in expanding access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.

WaterAid also constructed female-friendly toilet facilities, trained 35 female local area mechanics to maintain WASH facilities, established environmental clubs in schools across Lagos and organised capacity-building programmes for state and local government officials.

Residents selected to oversee the operation and maintenance of the facilities were constituted into WASHCOM, while WaterAid and the Community Development Association (CDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the management and maintenance of the project.

Responding, the Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, Ahmid Apanishile, commended WaterAid and the PepsiCo Foundation for improving access to potable water in underserved communities.

Mr Apanishile said the solar-powered facility addressed a critical water challenge and brought relief to residents of the Omigo community.

He assured that maintenance structures had been established at both community and council levels to ensure the project’s sustainability.

The chairman urged residents to protect the facility, assuring them of the council’s support whenever technical faults exceeded the community’s capacity.

He identified poor road infrastructure as the major challenge facing the predominantly rural council area.

Mr Apanishile assured residents that his administration would continue to implement programmes aimed at improving their welfare and living conditions.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mahmood Adegbite, commended the partnership between WaterAid and the Lagos State Government.

Mr Adegbite, represented by James Oyedele, said the project demonstrated how strategic partnerships could expand sustainable water services to underserved communities.

He said the facility would improve hygiene, reduce water-related diseases and ease the burden of accessing potable water.

The permanent secretary appreciated the PepsiCo Foundation, WaterAid, Ikorodu North LCDA and community leaders for supporting the project.

He urged residents to safeguard the facility, assuring them of the Lagos State Government’s continued investment in sustainable WASH infrastructure.

Earlier, the Chairman of the WASHCOM and Community Development Committee, Idowu Kayode, described the project as long-awaited relief after years of dependence on unsafe water sources and long treks by women and children in search of water.

Mr Kayode thanked WaterAid, the PepsiCo Foundation, the Lagos State Government and Ikorodu North LCDA for transforming the community.

He pledged transparent management, proper maintenance and sustained community support for the facility.

He also urged residents to protect the project, use water responsibly and support WASHCOM to ensure its sustainability.

(NAN)