By: Fashina Shakiru
Water is essential for human survival, constituting about 60% of the body. It regulates temperature, aids digestion, and facilitates nutrient transport. Without adequate hydration, physical and cognitive functions decline rapidly. Access to clean water is crucial for health, agriculture, and sanitation, making it a fundamental resource for sustaining life on Earth.
Water is undeniably the lifeline of humanity. Fela Anikulapo Kuti once said water does not have enemies, yet how has water become the enemy of Lagosians? Is it the act of incompetent or patronage appointments based on personal loyalty, perpetuating a cycle of mediocrity, and inefficiency leading to corruption, stagnation in governance, and the appointment of unqualified personnel. This leads to the current predicament in Lagos state where most homes lack access to potable water, in a recent report by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) more than ten million Lagosians lack drinkable water.
According to the Lagos State Water Corporation, the combined production capacity of the five main water stations is presently 210 million gallons per day. This capacity, however, falls significantly short of the daily average demand of approximately 540 million gallons, which is essential to adequately meet the water needs of the entire Lagos population.
Recent data from a report by the Lagos State Water Corporation outlined that a budget of N16 billion was earmarked over the past five years, from 2019 to 2023, specifically aimed at improving the supply of potable water to serve the city’s residents. Yet, despite such considerable financial investment, the pressing issue of water scarcity persists, leaving nearly 10 million Lagosians without consistent access to this vital resource.
This disparity raises questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of the initiatives undertaken and whether other factors might be contributing to the scarcity, such as infrastructure challenges, management inefficiencies, or rapid urban population growth outpacing improvements in water distribution.
Consider the water sector in Lagos state where successive administrations have failed to improve the system despite lofty promises. The issue is not a lack of resources but rather the inability to deploy those resources effectively due to incompetence and corruption driven by patronage. A case in point is the present Managing Director, Lagos water corporation, Engineer Mukhtaar Tijani with international qualifications and background working experience with multinational company as Senior Field Engineer, Pathfinder Energy Services, Inc. (Schlumberger Limited) despite his acclaimed expertise he has failed to find any lasting solution to the issue of acute water shortage in Lagos state
During the Fifth Lagos International Water Conference, which took place at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island on June 25, 2024, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu delivered his closing remarks. The conference, themed “Financing Water and Sanitation for a Greater Lagos,” brought together stakeholders to discuss the critical issues surrounding water and sanitation in the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of Mukhtaar Tijani, the current Managing Director of the Lagos Water Corporation, highlighting that despite extensive international training, the corporation had failed to innovate and provide effective solutions to the issue of ineffective water resource management plaguing the state.
He noted that, although staff members had been trained by world-class institutions and experts, the implementation of their training had not yet any tangible solutions or significant improvements in water availability and accessibility for Lagosians. The governor emphasized the gap between training and practical outcomes, suggesting a need for a more sincere and urgent approach to address these pressing challenges.
In wrapping up his speech, Governor Sanwo-Olu quoted the renowned Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti, referencing his popular song “Water has no enemy.” However, he provocatively added that, in reality, water does face many adversities, mainly because of the lack of sincerity, seriousness, and honesty in confronting water management challenges. Through this reflection, he called for a more transparent and dedicated effort in tackling the water and sanitation issues facing Lagos.
Despite the undeniable failures of the present Management of Lagos State Water Corporation under Mukhtaar Tijani, we are at a loss why Governor Sanwoolu has not relieved the Managing Director of his position. It’s time to appoint competent and qualified persons to this critical position rather than appointing incompetent, unqualified, and unmerited persons due to political expediency.
It is obvious that Governor Sanwoolu cannot attain his desire for water efficiency and people friendly sanitation in Lagos State under the failing Management of Engr Muktaaar Tijani. His acclaimed expertise and experience is undeniably not useful in achieving a “Water-Surplus” Lagos maybe in other sector.
Fashina Shakiru, a Journalist and public affairs analyst writes from Lagos.
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