By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
With only the Alexander Water Works in Ikoyi, which serves the elite, functioning optimally every other water infrastructure across the state is begging for attention.
Besides, Iju, Adiyan, Ota Ikosi, Iponri and others are no longer producing water.
The Executive Director, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, raised the alarm, while commemorating World Water Day and the launch of the report, “COVID-19 and water: One year after damning report, water shortage persists in Lagos, on Monday.
He also appealed to the Lagos State government to urgently declare a state of emergency in water sector, while lamenting that the Water Works in Alimosho, Maryland, Mushin, Ikorodu, Obalende, Agbowa, Onikan, Ikoyi and Amuwo Odofin were nolonger functioning optimally thereby forcing Lagos residents to drink poor water.
He wondered why the Lagos State government has continued to pander in the direction of privatisers, whose motive was only for profits.
He asked: “How can we explain the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the state signed with WaterAid to supposedly build capacity in the water sector?
“As anticipated, details of that agreement are not in the public domain. The current administration is also yet to unveil a blueprint on how to revitalize the water sector.”
He therefore recommended:
- Lagos State House of Assembly convenes an emergency session on water crisis in the state.
- Lagos State govt show seriousness in addressing the water challenge through integration of broad public participation in developing plans to achieve universal access to clean water.
- Lagos State govt probe of funds released since 1999 for the rehabilitation of the existing water works in Lagos including N1.6 billion released under the Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode administration.
- Lagos State government reject all forms of water privatization and commodification.
- Lagos State government fully upholds the human rights to water as an obligation of the govt representing the ppl.
- Lagos State government build the political will to prioritise water for citizens and leading to a comprehensive plan the invests in water infrastructure necessary to provide universal water access, jobs, improved public health and invigoration of the Lagos economy.
Beyond Lagos, CAPPA also restated its opposition to the National Water Bill because of its many anti-people and pro-privatisation provisions.
It called on all the state that are currently toying with the privatization agenda to jettison such; and instead initiate concrete actions to revamp the public water infrastructure to make water available and accessible for the people.
