Yemisi Dada
Lagos Water Partnership, LWP, has been inaugurated as part of efforts to build a resilience and sustainable water access for all residents in the state.
The project is a Public Private Partnership between the Lagos State government and Resilient Water Accelerator, RWA.
At the inauguration on Victoria Island, Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Abimbola Saliu-Hundeyin, said the Lagos Water Partnership is part of his administration commitment to reliable and sustainable access to clean water for all residents through private mobilisation of financing for innovative water solutions to address water risk and strengthen resilience.
“We are working to ensure that our water delivery facilities are revamped, our wetlands and canals are free of blockades to manage flood risk and our coastal communities are prepared to be resilient against climate impacts. As we continue the process of improving our water resources sector, it is clear that we need additional investment in which the private sector will play prominent roles in complementing the efforts of the public sector.
“The creation of the Lagos Water Partnership will lead the development and delivery of an investment vision for Lagos water security, and the state is delighted to work with the Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA) and its allies to drive this partnership.”
Lagos, already home to 20 million people, is also one of the fastest growing cities in Africa with a growth of 77 people per hour between 2010 and 2030. Despite being surrounded by wetlands, lagoons and the Atlantic Ocean, just 10% of people living in Lagos have access to a municipal water supply. The city is also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change including sea-level rise and flooding.”
On her part, the Chief Executive Officer, Resilient Water Accelerator, Ms Kate Hughes, stated that the partnership would enhance qualitative health, economic stability and quality of life for residents in Lagos by reducing diseases and freeing up time for education and employment opportunities.
Ms Hughes noted that the initiative would mobilise private and public finance for water projects in Lagos to enhance climate resilience in vulnerable communities.
“The inauguration of the Lagos Water Partnership marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to build resilience and ensure sustainable water access for all. By improving water systems, we can enhance the health, economic stability, and quality of life for the people of Lagos, reducing disease and freeing up time for education and employment opportunities. By forging partnerships and mobilising resources, we can create lasting impact and transform the water landscape in Lagos and beyond.”
Martin Shouler, Arup’s urban water lead said:
“I am so pleased to see that our City Water Resilience Approach (CWRA) work in Lagos has led to a major milestone with the formation of the Lagos Water Partnership. I look forward to continuing the journey to build the water resilience of this immensely important city and its community in West Africa.”
Adding his thought, Country Director; Arup Nigeria, Mr Kunle Adebajo, said: “As we inaugurate the Lagos Water Partnership, we celebrate our commitment to reliable and sustainable access to clean water for all Lagos residents. This achievement is the result of ongoing innovation and collaboration between MDAs, local stakeholders, private sector partners and multinational funders. The positive impact on quality of life in Lagos should be truly phenomenal”.
Highlights of the event included the unveiling of LWP members, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and the exchange of memoranda of understanding between key stakeholders, including government officials, private sector representatives, academic experts, civil society groups, and development partners.
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