Corporation sensitises Lagosians on water project

AHEAD of the commencement of the Second National Urban Water Sector Reform Project and Rehabilitation/Expansion of Water Distribution Network in Lagos, the management of the Lagos State Water Corporation has embarked on a massive sensitization campaign in Lagos to enlighten the stakeholders and others on what is required from them to enable the project to be executed successfully.

The sensitization exercise tagged: ‘Lagos State Government/Lagos Water Corporation Stakeholders Sensitization Meeting,’ has been held in different parts of the city. The lot ‘2’ took place at the Itire-Ikate Local Council Development area on October 14, from where the campaign train moved on, last week, to Yaba Local Council Development Area, Panti, Adekunle.

The Panti meeting, which was also well attended like the Itire/Ikate’s own, had the presence of notable personalities in the areas as well as traditional rulers. Key officials of the state government and LWC’s management team were present to address the audience.

The Group Managing Director of LWC, Mr. Shayo Holloway, an engineer, sought the support of all for the corporation in providing them potable water.

He said the corporation would rehabilitate and expand 38.94km network of water pipes in Itire/Ikate LCDA, connect 2,000 houses, install pre-paid domestic meters, install 50 bulk meters for network management and improve water supply in the LCDA. Holloway enjoined urchins (area boys) to allow their contractors to work.

His words: “They should desist from collecting bribes from our contractors before allowing them to work because what we are doing is service to humanity. We want Lagosians to have access to potable water.”

According to him, Lagos State has a population of about 21 million people, who require about six hundred and sixty million gallons of potable water per day.

He disclosed that Itire, Surulere, Yaba/Ebute-Meta, Iwaya and Victoria Island are under the Second National Urban Water Sector Reform Project and Rehabilitation/Expansion of Water Distribution Network in Lagos Service Area.

Holloway said: “Through this stakeholders’ forum, we crave the support of the public as our contractors embark on the project. Due to instances of some properties encroaching on the setbacks meant for utilities, such as water, power and telecoms, water pipelines may have to pass through such properties, which would be reinstated after the pipes have been laid. Please bear with us for any such inconvenience.”

According to him, there would be some places where water pipes being laid could affect fences, shops, septic tanks/soak-away, ground water tank, family graves, generator houses, security posts, electricity transformers, wells, and at times, buildings.
“We appeal to those who would be affected to bear with us. As soon as we are through with the laying of the pipes, we would reinstall the affected properties,” the LWC MD pleaded.