CAPPA deplores collapse of water facilities in Lagos, seeks revival

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has deplored total collapse of public utilities in the country, especially in Lagos State where provision of potable water has virtually ceased to exist.

CAPPA specifically lamented the collapse of the Mende, Isolo, Agbowa, Ikorodu, Onikan, Isheri-Osun, Shasha, Amuwo-Odofin, Igando and Iju waterworks, disclosing that the Alexander (Ikoyi) Waterworks with installed capacity of 2MGD, which supplies water to Banana Island, Park View and Osborne, is the only functional water facility in Lagos State.

The group made the revelation at the unveiling of its report titled “Water And COVID-19: One Year After Damning Report” on the sidelines of the World Water Day (WWD) celebration.

CAPPA lamented that after its earlier report on “How Acute Water Shortage May Jeopardise COVID-19 Response” which was released on July 4, 2020, water shortage has persisted in Lagos.

Executive Director of CAPPA, Oluwafemi Akinbode, who spoke in company of Associate Director, Aderonke Ige, Director of Programmes, Philip Jakpor and Comrade Sylvester Ejiofoh, stated that there was no alternative to provision of safe, clean, potable water to the citizens.

The group lamented that after its insistence on provision of potable water to Lagos residents, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was yet to unveil a blueprint on how to revive the water sector on which the immediate past administration of Governor Akinwumi Ambode spent N1.6 billion.

Akinbode urged the state government to declare a state of emergency in the water sector, while the House of Assembly should convene an emergency session on the situation.

“The Lagos State Government should show seriousness in addressing the water challenge through integration of broad public participation in developing plans to achieve universal access to clean water and reject all forms of water privatisation and commodification.

“The government should probe funds released since 1999 for rehabilitation of waterworks in the state, including the N1.6 billion released under the Ambode administration,” he stated.

The group also charged the government to fully uphold the human right to water as its obligation and build the political will to prioritise water for the people.