The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, has inaugurated the state’s Sanitation Safety Planning Team as it partners with the World Health Organisation to improve sanitation management system in the state.
According to a statement issued by the government, the Commissioner disclosed that Lagos, Bayelsa and Niger States had been selected by the World Health Organisation for the implementation of the Sanitation Safety Planning in Nigeria.
Bello, who was represented at the inauguration by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Nurudeen Shodeinde, said the state required huge investments to manage wastewater, among other needs.
He said, “This World Health Organisation initiative is very important and in line with the Health and Environment pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
“As such the Sanitation Safety Planning Team and Committee should diligently execute the programme for the benefit of the state as a whole.”
He added that the programme would enhance the determination of the government to diversify from a linear to a circular economy, particularly in the area of waste management.
The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, Mrs Funke Adepoju, on her part, said that the gaps in the water supply to the teaming population of Lagos State stood at approximately 780 million gallons per day, while the wastewater treatment facilities and sewers for transporting wastewater were grossly inadequate for the treatment of over 2.3 million cubic metres generated daily.
She said the challenges in the water and wastewater sector were increased due to growing urban population, inadequate wastewater management, aging infrastructure, among others.
The WHO Liaison Officer, Dr Ahmed Khedr, represented by Dr Clement Nwaeke, expressed commitment and readiness of the WHO to work with the state government to improve the sanitation management system to accommodate the waste generation resulting from population growth in Lagos.
