As part of the 2024 week of resistance against water privatisation, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) organised a community parliament at its Lagos office on October 23, 2024. The gathering brought together over fifty (50) locals from different communities in Lagos State—including Baruwa, Abule-Egba, Ajegunle, Iludun, Ago-Egun, and Oshodi-Mafoluku—alongside representatives from the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) for a direct, face-to-face dialogue on issues of water supply and management in Lagos State.
In his opening remarks, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, emphasised the importance of community participation in water governance, stating that the meeting provided a critical opportunity for discussion between communities and the LWC on pressing issues of public water supply in Lagos State. Oluwafemi recalled that public water supply was once the norm in urban areas, particularly in Lagos, but that governments have since deprioritised universal access to clean water, increasingly shifting responsibility to private firms that place profits above the well-being of the people. He warned of the dangers of water privatisation, citing examples of failed schemes in places like Michigan in the United States and the growing discontent in the United Kingdom.
Following Mr. Oluwafemi’s remarks, representatives from different communities at the parliament shared firsthand reports on water conditions in their areas and how it affects them.
Chief Mrs. Busola Dada lamented the absence of clean water in Baruwa, noting that community wells and boreholes have long been contaminated by underground hydrocarbon pollution from ruptured government-owned pipelines. This ongoing contamination has intensified the hardship faced by residents who also lack access to public water. She urged the LWC to take immediate action to restore safe water supply to the community.
Moses Sangoleke, speaking on behalf of the Ago Egun Community Development Association (CDA) in Bariga, highlighted the persistent issue of petrol-contaminated water in their community. With no government-provided water, residents have had to rely on their efforts, digging wells and boreholes. However, Sangoleke noted that many of these sources often yield polluted water, with only a few boreholes producing water that might be deemed safe. As a result, households in the community are forced to spend between N1,500 and N3,000 daily to buy water for their needs.
Kehinde Omolade from Ajegunle, Apapa, expressed deep frustration over the years of water scarcity her community has endured. She recounted that, despite widespread recognition of water as essential to life, many Ajegunle residents are forced to rely on brownish, unclean water for their daily needs. Omolade reflected that the visible effects of this polluted water were evident in the discolouration of bathroom walls, teeth, and other surfaces. She added that many in the community are desperate for drinkable water and pleaded with the LWC to extend supply to their area.
Strengthening the calls from community members, Betty Abah and Gbenga Komolafe applauded the resilience of communities in the face of the numerous challenges they endure. Abah, founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE), encouraged them to actively demand their right to water, reminding them that rights are rarely given freely—they must be claimed through collective action. She reassured them that if they stay organised and actively oppose water privatisation efforts, they could successfully prevent water from being controlled by private entities and help maintain it as a public good instead of a tradable commodity.
Gbenga Komolafe, General Secretary of the Federation of Informal Workers Organisation of Nigeria (FIWON), further stressed the dangers of polluted water, stating, “Polluted water kills.” He pointed out that these deaths are not always gradual—they can happen suddenly. “When we say water is a human right, it’s not just rhetoric; clean water is essential for our health, which is why this campaign is so crucial,” he added.
Responding to the comments, Peju Ishola, Divisional Director of Customer, Commercial & Community Engagement at the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), who led the LWC delegation to the parliament, acknowledged the pressing challenges facing the corporation. She detailed several obstacles, including frequent vandalism of public water pipes, theft of essential water infrastructure, reliance on outdated manual equipment, a significant shortage of staff, and substantial water losses due to these issues. Despite these difficulties, Ishola assured community members that efforts were underway to address these setbacks.
In particular, Ishola stated that potable water would be restored to Baruwa within a few months. She added that once the ongoing rehabilitation of key water plants across the state is complete and the corporation’s water supply pipes are confirmed to be in good working condition, other affected communities, such as Iludun and neighbouring areas, would also begin receiving access to clean water. She clarified, however, that this water supply would not be free due to the corporation’s financial constraints but assured residents it would be offered at a highly subsidised rate.
Addressing ongoing plans to reform water governance practices at the LWC, Ishola said that the corporation is working to transition from manual to digital monitoring of its facilities and water pipelines. She explained that a digital monitoring system would enable the corporation to track the performance of its water supply infrastructure in real time, allowing for swift action in response to any issues that arise. Ishola also urged community members to protect water infrastructure and promptly report any irregularities to the LWC.
The parliament concluded with further contributions from community members to the LWC, including proposals for the corporation to convene regular town hall meetings, and establish local liaison offices in various areas of the state to ensure timely engagement with communities on pertinent issues.
Participants, along with LWC representatives, were also grateful to CAPPA for facilitating the platform for engagement, noting that the direct conversations provided valuable clarity on key issues.
As the meeting concluded, LWC officials engaged in further discussions with community members, dwelling on actionable steps to improve water access. The LWC committed to adding these community representatives to a dedicated WhatsApp platform designed to ensure transparent updates and open communication. Through this platform, community members will receive regular updates, voice their concerns, and stay informed on the progress of infrastructure improvements addressing their needs. Additionally, the LWC shared its customer care numbers, encouraging everyone at the parliament, as well as the general public, to report water issues in their localities by calling any of the following: 07045973012, 07045973013, 07033207647, or 07033261974.
Images of the Event
