Lagos and the challenges of long-term water supply

By Adeleye Kunle

WATER is one of the most important elements on the planet. Water is so essential that both plants and animals require it to survive. However, it is critical that the water that people drink and use for other purposes be clean and free of germs and pathogens, Track News reports

As a result, in order to make water potable, its production must meet World Health Organization standards. Producing enough water for the world’s population has been a major challenge, as many countries are currently dealing with water scarcity. According to the State of Green, Denmark’s journal on livable cities, water plays a role in many of the other Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.

It is difficult, for example, to imagine achieving SDG II on Sustainable Cities and Communities without also implementing solutions for sustainable urban water management. Urban population growth in developing countries is putting increasing strain on urban water supply. It also implies that wastewater treatment plants must treat a growing volume of wastewater, as well as sewage collection and treatment systems in order to create livable cities.

There can be no livable city without proper sanitation, sewerage, and clean water supply. As a result, putting water at the heart of city planning and investment builds a solid foundation for long-term growth. It increases the likelihood of developing long-term solutions that successfully integrate water’s role with the needs of both local citizens and nature.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) challenges may also represent opportunities. It goes without saying that a lack of access to clean water and sanitation has a negative impact on development outcomes. It has a negative impact on the health sector, education, and economic activity, as well as work efficiency and productivity. Faced with the reality of a global water crisis, the Lagos State Government initiated the annual Lagos International Water Conference, LIWAC, in its characteristic style of setting the agenda for the rest of the continent on critical global issues.

The conference, which has become an annual event since 2020, is the brainchild of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, LASWARCO, and aims to encourage the exchange of transformational and innovative ideas toward finding long-term solutions to water supply and sanitation challenges, particularly in a megacity like Lagos, which has a projected annual growth rate of 3.2 percent.

Previous editions’ highlights have already attracted investment through a collaboration with WaterAid to strengthen capacity building and promote water sector regulation in Lagos. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, on the LUWASH program is also one of the conference’s major outcomes.

Among the other notable highlights of previous conferences have been improving urban water service delivery in Lagos through improved infrastructure and accountability, strengthening regulatory oversight of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, and strengthening the financial and technical capabilities of Lagos Water utilities and private water vendors. Last June, the third edition of the conference, a two-day event, was held at Eko Hotels and Suites on Victoria Island. It aimed to open up significant opportunities for private sector investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene services by bringing together global water leaders.

“Unlocking Investments and Sustainable Access to Clean Water and Sanitation Services: The Regulatory Imperative,” the theme for LIWAC 2022, centered on knowledge sharing, facilitating efficiency through regulation, and how regulation can pave the way for investment opportunities. It also focused on women, public-private partnerships, or PPPs, for long-term WASH services, as well as maximizing local and global WASH investment opportunities.

Water supply challenges in Lagos include a limited distribution network (coverage is only about 44%), insufficient power supply from the National Grid, obsolete equipment and technology, a high level of unaccounted-for-water due to illegal connections, pipeline leakages, pipeline destructions due to road construction, and the public perception that water should be provided free of charge, as it was until 1997.

Poor revenue collection, low capacity utilization within the corporation, the current flat rate billing system, water pricing and cost recovery challenges, insufficient household metering systems, and aged infrastructure are among the others. These are, without a doubt, daunting tasks. However, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration recognizes the enormity of the challenges in providing safe drinking water to Lagos residents. Not only that, but it is capable of tackling the daunting task in the best interests of Lagosians.

The government recognizes that water is critical not only for human survival, but also for long-term development, and that no effort will be spared to improve access for a large number of residents. As a result, it is taking concrete steps to address the state’s water crisis. The second phase of the 70MGD Adiyan Water Scheme is currently nearing completion.

This will be the state’s second-largest water infrastructure project. The last one, the Adiyan 1 and Akute water project, was built in 1974/75. The current administration took over the project and infrastructure, and has committed additional funds to making it a reality. The Adiyan phase one water project, which was built over 40 years ago, is also undergoing extensive rehabilitation and turnaround maintenance.

Similarly, work on the 4MGD Ishashi water project, as well as the maintenance and upgrade of the state’s mini waterworks, has progressed. The government is currently dredging the Ogun River, which will increase raw water intake into the Iju and Adiyan water plants. Perhaps the most important takeaway from the 2022 conference is that the sector’s plans require massive investment that the government alone may not be able to bear.

As in other sectors, the government is open to business and collaboration with investors. Indeed, Governor Babajide used the occasion to reassure prospective investors in the sector that his administration had made significant progress in strengthening relevant policies, legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks in accordance with best practices.

“Our primary goal is to provide safe sanitation services and potable water to all Lagosians.” “We have the political will and a groundswell of support from key stakeholders, and we welcome investors to open lines of engagement and conversation with us,” he said. The governor stated that the state’s ever-growing population should provide every investor with the assurance of quick returns on their investments.

Ogunbiyi works as the Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information and Strategy in Alausa, Ikeja.

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