As part of the activities to mark the 100 days in office of the newly elected Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, Honourable, (Mrs.) Idowu Sebanjo, the LGA has concluded plans to partner with the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) to improve potable water supply and enhance service delivery to the area.
The Chairman, who made the request when she led a delegation from Apapa Local Government on a working visit to LWC Water-House, Ijora, Lagos, said it was her own way of expressing gratitude to the residents for electing her to steer the affairs of Apapa LGA.
She explained that the area cannot continue to depend on the informal sector, particularly borehole water supply, because of its poor quality and unreliability in comparison to LWC public water supply, more so when the LWC Headquarters is within the Apapa neighbourhood.
Responding, LWC Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Muminu Adekunle Badmus, thanked the Chairman and her delegation for the visit while acceding to her request for partnership. He stated that the Corporation will also need a form of financial commitment from the LGA towards ensuring regular water supply to the area.
Badmus, represented by the Corporation’s Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Engr. Suraj Ijaiya, said that the Corporation is presently struggling to meet water supply demands due to the refusal of many residents to pay their water bills.
In his words: “We are ready to partner with you and relieve the suffering of the residents of your Local Government Area from inadequate potable water supply. However, it is necessary to point out that your LGA and its residents failed to pay for services rendered in the past, causing the disconnection of electricity supply to the 2.4 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) Apapa Mini Waterworks by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company”.
The Managing Director explained further that the Corporation cannot continue running to the State government for financial assistance because Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu led administration is resuscitating all major waterworks, particularly the Ishasi Water Plant that supplies the axis.
While informing that the Apapa and Ijora Oloye areas are currently lacking water supply from the Apapa Mini Waterworks due to vandalisation of power cables, Badmus urged the Local Government to assist in replacement of the stolen to restore water supply to the affected areas of the LGA.
Other members of the visiting local government delegation include the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Ganiu Ismail and Chief of Staff, Mr. Bamidele Avoseh among other officials.
