For millions of Lagos residents, access to clean and affordable water remains a daily challenge, one that shapes health and livelihoods.
To address this challenge and deepen the campaign for the achievement of universal access to water through Public Partnerships,Water justice Advocates have engaged Lagos Lawmakers, trade unions, and international experts at a high level meeting in Lagos.
From long queues at boreholes to high costs from private vendors, the water crisis in Lagos touches homes, schools, and hospitals alike.
It was in a bid to rethink the future of water service delivery in Lagos state and explore Public-Public Partnerships as a pathway to universal water access that the high-level meeting was organised.
Civil society organisations, trade unions, and community advocates argue that access to water is not a luxury, but a human right, and must remain under democratic public control.
The lawmakers including the Chair of the House Committee on Environment (Parastatal), Shabi Adekola, and the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Stephen Ogundipe, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to policies that protect public interest, and stressed the importance of transparency and public engagement.
The meeting also drew global perspectives as International water governance experts shared lessons from countries where public water operators work together to improve service delivery and achieve Sustainable Development Goal Six—clean water and sanitation for all.
This open dialogue between government, workers, civil society, and the Lagos Water Corporation could mark a turning point, one where cooperation replaces conflict, and public water works better for everyone.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
