Introduction
As your next Governor of Lagos State, I am driven by a vision of a prosperous, healthy, and inclusive Lagos where every resident has access to basic human rights, including safe and reliable drinking water. My administration under the #BetterLagosAgenda2027 (Àtuntọ Èkó 1.0) will prioritize the provision of potable water as a fundamental right, recognizing that our future depends on it.
The Water Crisis in Lagos
Despite being surrounded by water, Lagos faces a severe water crisis. Currently, only 5-10% of our over 22 million residents have access to reliable piped potable water. The daily demand exceeds 700 million gallons, while public supply lags far behind. This has forced the majority of our citizens to rely on unregulated boreholes, vendors, and sachet water, resulting in serious public health issues and reduced productivity.
Àtuntọ Èkó Water Revolution
To tackle this crisis, I propose a Comprehensive Potable Water Policy that will re-engineer the entire water value chain through a multi-pronged strategy combining state leadership, private-sector efficiency, and community participation.
Key Pillars of My Water Revolution
- Independent Water Projects (IWP) in All Five Divisions: I will establish modern, solar-hybrid water treatment plants and mini-desalination facilities across Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Epe, and Lagos Island divisions. These facilities will operate on a dedicated state-owned water grid, similar to our proposed power grid, ensuring bulk supply reaches every Local Government Area (LGA).
- Full Rehabilitation and Expansion of Lagos Water Corporation Infrastructure: I will immediately complete and scale up the ongoing pilot Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for mini and micro waterworks. Existing waterworks, such as Adiyan, Iju, and Ishasi, will be rehabilitated, with non-revenue water reduced to below 20% within the first two years through smart metering and pipeline replacement.
- Community-Based Water Access Points: I will deploy over 500 solar-powered Water ATMs and treated community boreholes across all 20 LGAs, particularly in underserved and low-income communities. Each Emergency Response Centre will include a dedicated potable water station for rapid deployment during floods or outages.
- Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Measures: I will mandate rainwater harvesting systems in all new buildings and introduce large-scale wastewater recycling plants for non-potable uses, freeing up freshwater resources. Additionally, I will implement Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) programmes to protect groundwater from over-extraction.
- Affordability, Quality Assurance, and Regulation: I will introduce tiered, subsidized tariffs with a free minimum daily allowance for households earning below the poverty line. Real-time digital water quality monitoring labs will be deployed in every division to ensure compliance with WHO and Nigerian Industrial Standards.
Funding and Implementation Framework
To make this vision a reality, I will leverage Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to attract over N200 billion in private investment over four years. My administration will ring-fence 15% of the annual budget for water infrastructure, while also seeking additional funding through international climate and development grants, green bonds, and diaspora investment windows.
Timeline for Implementation
- Year 1: Rapid rehabilitation of existing water assets and launch of the first three Independent Water Projects.
- Years 2-3: Full rollout of water projects across all divisions and LGAs.
- Year 4: Achieve at least 70% household access to safe piped or community potable water.
Expected Impact
This policy will eliminate dependence on unsafe water sources, drastically reduce water-borne diseases, and create thousands of jobs in construction, maintenance, and technology sectors. Most importantly, it will position Lagos as West Africa’s model for sustainable urban water management.
Conclusion
Àtuntọ Èkó means more than just infrastructure; it means dignity, health, and prosperity in every home. Under my leadership, no Lagosian will be left thirsty. Join me in this journey towards a better Lagos, where every citizen can thrive with access to safe and reliable water. Together, we can create a future that reflects our collective aspirations.
#Laja4BetterLagos2027
Àtuntọ Èkó 1.0: Re-Engineering Lagos for Inclusive Prosperity
