Sanwo-Olu seeks partnerships to tackle water resource management challenges in Lagos
By Sodiq Adelakun
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for collaborations between the public and private sectors to address water resource management challenges in the state.
Speaking at the Fifth Lagos International Water Conference on Tuesday, themed ‘Financing Water and Sanitation for a Greater Lagos,’ Sanwo-Olu emphasised the need for innovative solutions to tackle the challenges.
He expressed disappointment that the Lagos State Water Corporation had not shown enough innovation in addressing water resource management issues, despite its staff receiving international training.
“We have had several World Bank best trainers.
“They have been trained in the best institutions but that has not put solutions on the table for us, that has not resolved the challenges that we have.
“Water, as Fela said, has no enemy, but it has got a lot of enemies because we are all not sincere or serious and true to ourselves.
“We all need to ask ourselves how well we are playing these roles. How well are we moving from lip service to being able to resolve the issues?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
Sanwo-Olu said that water remained important to the government and people of Lagos State.
“In the last five years, this administration has been dedicated to financing this conference with discussions as to how to straighten water resource management.
“Our focus includes regulating the water sector, promoting public/ private partnerships; we believe this will fill the gaps and foster operational efficiency of Lagos State Water Corporation.
“We want to move away from talk to action, we want to move to action. It is the fifth year we are coming for the water conference. I want to see the outcomes and the outputs.
“We have increased our spending in this sector, we appreciate how Denmark and the Netherlands have collaborated with us.”
He said that if the state government had not been proactive, the recent outbreak of cholera in the state would have become a pandemic.
Meanwhile, The Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing water resource management challenges.
He commended Lagos State for its progress in this regard, stating, “I am proud of Lagos and its strides.”
The Minister stressed that collaboration between the private and public sectors is crucial to finding lasting solutions, saying, “We need each other to find solutions.”
He encouraged increased partnerships to tackle water resource management problems effectively.
