KOGI STATE DELEGATES VISIT WATERHOUSE, IJORA LAGOS ? ?LWC Vanguard of PPP in Nigeria?.

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources has adjudged Lagos Water Corporation as the vanguard of PPP (Public – Private Partnership) in Nigeria. This revelation came out today, during the Kogi State delegates visit to LWC, Water House, Ijora, Lagos.

The delegation was led by the Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Barrister Salami Ozigi. Others were Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Water Resources, Pastor Oladunni Augustine Sule and Director for Water Resources, Ministry for Water Resources; Mr. Kayode Ayodele (Chartered Hydrogeologist).

Barrister Ozigi said ?the LWC has been adjudged as leader in PPP in Nigeria?. He added that the PPP initiative engaged by the Corporation is one of the main reasons for their visit as they would like to be guided by experts on the model, and to be well informed when they introduce this initiative into the Water sector in Kogi State. The delegates also mentioned their interest in the Commercial department of the Organisation, especially their revenue generation.

While welcoming the delegates into the Biggest Water Producer in Sub-Sahara Africa, the Lagos Water Corporation, Managing Director, Engr. Muminu Badmus urged them to always advertise their Expression of Interest, to allow rooms for bidding and competition. He said they should be careful on selection process, do thorough investigation before awarding contract, which should based on PPP process. Engr. Badmus went further, ?Kogi State is always welcome to the Corporation, as the door is always open for suggestion, advice and assistance?.

Anticipating the visit, the LWC, Assistant General Manager, Commercial Department, Mrs. Modupeola Sadiq, made a visual presentation on the strategic roles undertaken by the commercial department. She said ?Our roles include Generating a comprehensive data base of customers, Updating customer records, and mostly trading on behalf of the Organisation?. She also added that the Organisation is in the process of carrying out tariff review as a way of meeting production cost.

While explaining the PPP model adopted by the Corporation, the LWC, Project Coordinator (Project Implementation Unit) PIU, Mr. Sikiru Ogunlana, made an in-depth analysis of the PPP model and the Organization?s reason for engaging such model. He made presentation on Lagos Water Supply Master plan covering year 2010 – 2020, which targeted at increase in water production capacity from present 210MGD – 745MGD by 2020, hence the introduction of the PPP model will bridge the demand gap, between the organization?s current production capacity of 210MGD, and demand which is believed to be 540MGD.

The meeting came to an end; by questions by the visitors, which were entertained, and effectively answered by members of the Management staff of the Corporation.