On Saturday, March 16, 2024, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) visited Iludun Town, Fagba, Lagos State, to facilitate a water parliament. The event drew the participation of 60 residents to reflect on the pressing issue of water pollution affecting the area.

Iludun town, despite its proximity to the Iju Water Works—a major state water infrastructure—faces significant water scarcity. The residents, lacking access to pipe-borne water, rely on self-dug wells and boreholes.

In his welcome remarks, Pastor Ikupolusi, the Chairman of the Town’s Community Development Association (CDA), noted that the community’s water scarcity situation worsened when road contractors, commissioned by the Lagos State government to build a bridge in the area, accidentally damaged an underground petroleum pipeline belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). The pipeline, which runs across the community and surrounding areas, has continued to leak and contaminate local water sources since it was damaged.

The meeting commenced with an address by CAPPA’s community mobilization officer, Gideon Adeyeni, who encouraged participants to freely voice their concerns and informed them of CAPPA’s commitment to escalate these concerns to relevant authorities.

Testimonies

For many women in the community, such as Mrs. Adeyosoye and Mama Fagbemi, who spoke at the parliament, the situation is depressing and difficult to navigate due to numerous household chores that require water. According to them, water fetched from most of the wells and boreholes in the community always has petrol on the surface, rendering it unsuitable for cooking, drinking, washing, or bathing. Bathing with the water leaves the body smelling of petroleum.

Mrs. Cecilia Oriade, another woman in the community, called for an urgent solution to the problem to further prevent health risks. Another resident, Pastor Akinwunmi, advocated for a tripartite collaboration between the state government, the NNPCL, and the community to find a lasting solution to the problem. He also lamented how the water contamination and the government’s refusal to complete the said bridge, despite ruining the community’s water supply, are combining to wreak havoc on the community.

In his remarks, Daud Abdulazeez, who also lives in the community, expressed concerns about the potential volatility and vulnerability of the community to fire due to underground petroleum leakage.

Alhaja S. Ambali pointed out that, because of the water challenge, many households now rely on sachet water for their daily needs and activities and are forced to purchase between 5 and 10 bags every day at the cost of N350 per bag. This, she noted, is unsustainable and unaffordable for many households with low incomes. Furthermore, the minimum wage in the country remains N30,000, despite the high rate of inflation and rising cost of living. Alhaja also reported cases of typhoid and other illnesses often linked to the contaminated water.

Alhaji R.A Adeyemi, a former Chief Security Officer at the Iju Water Works, criticized the irony of the community’s lack of water despite its proximity to a major state water works. He claimed that the water corporation prefers to supply drinking water to distant neighborhoods considered more economically viable, rather than to the local community.

Olusola Oludiran, a journalist with the International Press Centre, proposed laboratory testing of the community’s water to obtain scientific proof of contamination. He stressed the importance of unified advocacy on the issue. Oludiran criticized the state water corporation for supplying water to areas perceived affluent while neglecting the needs of Iludun community, labeling it as an injustice. He praised the community leaders for their efforts and urged them to persist in their fight to secure their right to clean drinking water.

Mr. Ifaotanmi identified privatization as the fundamental cause of the water crisis in the community and Lagos state. He argued that the commercialisation of basic and essential services by state authorities, supported by international financiers like the World Bank, is complicating life. He urged the government to return to providing social amenities for its citizens, as was done in the past. He concluded by asserting, “Water is life.”

The parliament concluded with a community walk to gather further evidence of the water contamination, and actionable plans to compel relevant state authorities to address the community’s challenges. Sefa Ikpa, CAPPA’s programme officer, thanked community members for their willingness to share their challenges. She also informed the assembly that media advocacy, including interviews with residents, and engagements with local parliamentarians, will be part of the efforts to resolve the crisis.

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