The Lagos State government plans to install 150 public toilets across the state to improve sanitation.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced this during a visit from Melissa Jones, the Mission Director of USAID in Nigeria, at the State House in Marina.
Sanwo-Olu mentioned that the program design is nearly complete and highlighted the state’s efforts to tackle sanitation issues. He also expressed a commitment to strengthening collaboration with USAID, noting the positive impact of their interventions in various areas.
“I believe our partnership is working and the objectives of the USAID are met. We are open to knowledge sharing to raise the life quality and ensure that the partnership is mutual,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He also intimated Jones that the state government was working on resuscitating five micro and mini waterworks to improve access and availability of safe water in five underserved communities across the state.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the procurement process for the rehabilitation of the waterworks projects was underway, with the bidding procedure expected to conclude at the end of June after which the contractors would be mobilised to sites.
The governor said: “One of the areas we are collaborating with the USAID is Water Resources and Sanitation. We have since identified waterworks projects within the metropolis that are strategic to our shared interests. We have since identified five micro and mini waterworks projects in underserved communities for immediate rehabilitation.
“The tender process is ongoing now, but I have given the charge to the Managing Director to speed up the process, so that we can get to the field and our partners can see the outcome of this intervention. The effort has also led to reforms in the Lagos Water Corporation, where we have painfully downsized.
“To boost the corporation’s efficiency, we had to bring in young technical staff that are capable and relevant to the growth plan. The sector experts working with our team are beginning to see the results. We are now building alot more responsible Water Corporation set up to meet its demands. The moment we get water supplies well, issues around sanitation will be resolved.”
The governor assured the envoy of his administration’s readiness to deepen the relationship with the international agency, saying the USAID interventions committed to other areas of collaboration had been impactful.