Lagos Water Corporation had taken Water delivery to the next level in Yaba, Ebute Meta and Iwaya Zones. The Acting Managing Director of the Corporation, Engr. Deji Johnson made this known during the Stakeholders Sensitisation Forum on Rehabilitation and Expansion of Distribution Network in Yaba. The event took place at Yaba Local Council Development Area Office, Adekunle, Lagos, on Wednesday 22nd October, 2015.
In his speech, the Corporation’s acting MD believes an improvement in the water pipelines and mains will improve water delivery, because some of the pipes are leaking and encrusted due to age barriers. He said, the Corporation is mandated to provide potable water to the Lagosians, “with the water treatment facilities/install capacity to produce 210 MGD (Millions Gallon per Day) and presently water demand is 645 MGD, with the shortfall of 435 MGD; LWC should be able to deliver potable water to the people.
Engr. Johnson further stated that the forum is about sensitizing the people of Yaba, Ebute-Metta and Iwaya, to enlighten them on what we are doing in their domains. “I believe with LWC Contractors, Co-ordinator and Workers, things will definitely work out well”. LWC developed a Master Plan, with the hope that by year 2020, we’ll be able to meet the water demand of Lagos State. He said, this is the beginning for total enjoyment of our services, and further urged the customers to pay the water rates as at when due, because finance is important to put in place other services to deliver the best of what we can do. He said, in the process there will be element of disturbances, but the success is our aim, new mains with house connection, pre-paid meters will be installed to tell you what to pay for what you consume, he concluded.
In his own contribution, the Project Coordinator, Engr. Ipaye Raimi said water started coming out down to Ikoyi and Ebute-Metta form Iju, during the period of the colonial masters in 1901, and because of a lot of encrustations (such as roots of trees in pipes in drains, looking for water to drink) this disturbed water from flowing, because the root will burst the pipes. This is one reason why water is not flowing in this area.
He further stated that the company is laying a new pipe of about 56 Kilometers, ”we urged you to assist us by curbing the activities of the “Area boys” in order to serve you better, ‘’We are providing you treated water, far better than Borehole water which is not treated, not hygienic”. The Contractor representative further mentioned that, by year 2020, Lagos State population will hit 29 million, “we are planning for this huge population, which is the introduction of the Lagos Water Master Plan”.
He said, LWC is changing from Galvanized pipe period to High Density Pipe (HDPE), he went further that 60% of the water the Corporation produced is un-accounted for, and part of the problems is the wastage through the old pipes. HDPE pipe of about 110-315 Diameter is being introduced in Yaba, Ebute-Metta, Iwaya, Onike axis as a measure to curb this water wastages, with 3500 new house connection with pre-paid meters to help regulate water wastages, he re-affirmed.
The Project Contractor, Oceanic China Zhoughao added that the project is jointly funded by World Bank and French Government, there by seek for the co-operation, understanding and support of everyone residing in these areas towards the success of the project, and also to minimize the activities of the Social miscreants, popularly called Area Boys.
The Executive Secretary of Mainland Local Govt., Alhaja Rasheedat enjoined the people of Mainland, Yaba, Ebute-Meta, Iwaya and Onike, especially the Water vendors to heed the advice of the Lagos Water Corporation, she urged them to please support the program and be a good citizens of the State.
Also, her counterpart from Yaba Local Council Development Area, Mrs. Bola Lawal Olumegbon said the meeting is very important, because “Water is Life”. Lagos State Government is doing her part, they do not want pipes in drainages “please let us do our own part also by paying our water bills; this is for our own interest”. She said, the CDC through the CDA will be consulted before embarking on the assignment, especially when they are working on streets.
While giving the closing remarks, Oba of Igbobi-Sabe, Oba Adesina Adeniyi Owolabi – Maforunyomi I, thanked the Lagos Water Corporation for this laudable project and promised his support and also the people of the areas, he said no doubt, properties will be destroyed, because if there is “No pain, there will be No gain”, the contractor has promised to reinstate any property destroyed, he called on members of the public to please support the Contractor. He later thanked all the participants, and concluded that all our efforts will not be in vain.