Lagos Govt Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Water and Sanitation

T The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all residents have access to safe, affordable water and good sanitation services across the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, stated this on Thursday during the Lagos Water Partnership Steering Committee Meeting held at the Protea Hotel, Alausa, Ikeja.

Adegbite explained that the meeting brought together high-capacity institutional expertise to deliberate on strategies that would transform Lagos into a water-resilient megacity. He noted that every decision made would directly impact millions of Lagosians.

Highlighting the achievements of the Technical Committee, which convened on June 26, 2025, the Permanent Secretary said the team presented findings from the Legal Feasibility Study and gave updates on key initiatives such as the Adiyan II CPA and the 250-Toilet Project.

He added that the proposal for 100 public facility units, containing 10,000 toilet units across Lagos communities, underscores the government’s determination to eradicate open defecation while creating investment opportunities.

“The seven vision statements for Lagos’ water resilience—improved mapping, enhanced infrastructure data, expanded access, stronger investment frameworks, upgraded sanitation, digital transformation, and reduced water losses—require the high-level coordination only we can provide,” Adegbite said.

He also referenced ARUP’s presentation on the City Water Resilience Approach, which outlined progress in stakeholder mapping and investment alignment, urging the committee to convert the technical insights into strategic action.

In her remarks, Country Director of WaterAid, Ms. Evelyn Mere—represented by Lagos State Team Lead, Dr. Adebayo Alao—praised the collaboration, describing it as a model of how government, private sector, and communities can unlock investment and deliver scalable impact. She reaffirmed WaterAid’s commitment to supporting the initiative with expertise, networks, and resources.

Similarly, the Director of the Water Resources Department, Engr. James Oyedele, stressed that Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects would be structured with clauses that prevent successive administrations from tampering with agreements, assuring investors of continuity regardless of political transitions.

Other dignitaries at the meeting included the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji; members of the Body of Permanent Secretaries; General Manager, LASWAMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi; Executive Director Operations, Water Corporation, Engr. Omolanke Taiwo; and captains of industry from the private sector.