LIWAC 2024: SANWO-OLU CHARGES STAKEHOLDERS ON IMPROVING WATER, SANITATION SECTOR

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has charged stakeholders in the Water and Sanitation sector to identify the challenges and source for long-term funding to galvanize sustainable action required to complete the Adiyan Water treatment plant to ensure the availability of potable water for the residents of Lagos State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the charge at the fifth edition of the Lagos International Water Conference (LIWAC) 2024 which commenced in Lagos on Tuesday at the Eko Hotel in Victoria Island, adding that the State Government is committed to to providing easy access to safe water and hygiene as they are fundamental for human survival and the rights of the citizens.

In his words, “To ensure easy access to safe water, our government has, over the last four years shared knowledge and increased the budgetary allocation to the water and sanitation sector. It is essential that the discussions at this conference translate to action for a more functional Lagos”, Sanwo-Olu said.

Earlier, while setting the tone for the conference, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab stated that the ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene’  (WASH) policy, signed early this year by the State Government underscores the present administration’s seriousness which is germane to the provision of quality water and safe sanitation services. 

On his part, the Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev commended the Lagos State Government for its consistency in convening experts in seeking an experience-based solution to financing the Water and Sanitation sector.

“Lagos is a mini-Nigeria, If the sector is well-positioned in Lagos, Nigeria will be better since water is crucial for health and environmental protection. It is critical to have a mix of financing options for infrastructure”, he added. 

In her welcome remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC), Mrs. ‘Funke Adepoju emphasised the critical need for investment in the sector, adding that this year’s conference with the theme, “Financing Water and Sanitation for a Greater Lagos”, underscores the importance of creating a sustainable and investor-friendly environment in the water sector.

According to her, the theme of this year’s conference was selected to identify various frameworks for long-term financing options to foster an enabling business environment for private sector investment in Lagos State’s water and sanitation sector, supported by the Lagos WASH Policy which is central to the State’s ‘Health and Environment’ pillar of the THEMES Plus Agenda.

It must be noted that the annual conference, which has become Africa’s largest gathering of water and wastewater sector experts, aims to facilitate vibrant dialogue and knowledge exchange to enhance access to safe drinking water and efficient wastewater management through robust financial and regulatory mechanisms.