Lagos Government, WaterAid to Build 350 Public Toilets to Combat Open Defecation
LAGOS/Nigeria: The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with WaterAid, Plan International, and private operators, has unveiled plans to construct 350 additional public toilets across the state as part of efforts to curb open defecation and improve hygiene.
Speaking at a media roundtable over the weekend, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, disclosed that work has commenced on identifying locations for the new facilities. He emphasized that the government would implement a three-pronged approach—providing infrastructure, intensifying advocacy, and enforcing compliance—to ensure the public adopts proper sanitation practices.
Rotimi-Akodu commended WaterAid for its commitment to supporting Lagosians with access to clean water, decent toilets, and improved hygiene. He noted that the government is prioritizing alternative water sources over borehole drilling, stating that efforts are underway to enhance the supply of potable water through the Lagos Water Corporation.
“Drilling boreholes is not something we are proud of or want to encourage. However, with the upcoming upgrade at Adiyan Water Works, Lagos will soon generate a combined capacity of no less than 100 million gallons of pipe-borne water daily,” he said.
Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, raised concerns over the misuse of government-supplied water, noting that many households and organizations tap into the water supply without payment, forcing the government to continually bail out the water corporation. He hinted at plans to introduce a sustainable tariff system to regulate water usage while attracting private-sector investment.
“It is not feasible for private organizations or individuals to invest in water supply while residents access it for free. The government is working on a structured approach to ensure a fair and effective tariff system,” Adegbite added.
Similarly, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding water supply infrastructure across Lagos. He expressed optimism that, by the end of the current administration, the state would significantly increase its daily water production, though acknowledging that demand would still outpace supply.
Meanwhile, Dr. Adebayo Alao, WaterAid’s State Programme Lead, highlighted the organization’s interventions in strengthening institutional capacities and governance for improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. He disclosed that Kimberly-Clark had donated $1 million to improve hygiene practices among 45,000 lactating women, adolescent girls, and other vulnerable groups in Ojodu and Ikorodu North Local Council Development Areas.
Alao further revealed that WaterAid had facilitated the renovation of two primary healthcare centers with functional water and sanitation facilities, alongside the procurement of medical equipment worth over ₦30 million for PHCs in Ogba and Odo-Nla, Epe. He added that the ongoing rehabilitation of Akilo Water Works was part of efforts to boost urban water supply across Lagos.
The state government reiterated its commitment to ensuring sustainable water management and sanitation policies, stressing that private partnerships remain crucial to achieving its WASH objectives.
