News
Lagos communities decry water scarcity, demand govt intervention
Some Lagos residents have called on the state government to make potable water accessible to reduce the huge amount of money spent on buying water.
They disclosed this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos, against the World Water Day celebrated annually in March.
They urged the state government to reduce the spread of water-borne diseases in the state by ensuring the provision of portable water.
According to the World Health Organisation, water scarcity affects one in three people in the African region and is getting worse with population growth, urbanisation, and an increase in household and industrial uses.
While some residents attributed the lack of potable water in the state to poor management and inadequate infrastructure, others linked it to a lack of enough investment and human capital.
A resident in Akowonjo Local Government Area, Mr Ibrahim Mustapha, a businessman, who spoke with NAN, expressed dissatisfaction with the scarcity of potable water in their neighbourhood.
“I don’t know why water remains a big challenge in a state that is surrounded by large bodies of water. I am a 54-year-old man, and I can tell you that the last time I enjoyed public-sourced potable water was in my youth days.
We have had to rely on a privately generated water supply, which is not a good thing,” he said.
He called on the state government to make the water issue a priority and get it done once and for all.
Another resident, Mrs Folake Davies, a dentist who lives around Yaba, told NAN that the unavailability of potable water had led to increased household expenditure.
“This has resulted in buying sachet water for drinking and borehole water in gallons for other domestic use. This has added an extra financial burden on residents who are already struggling and posing environmental challenges like plastic pollution.
“Water scarcity also challenges the ability of residents to keep up with sanitation and healthful living habits, while predisposing them to water-borne diseases if the use of contaminated water continues,” she said.
She called on the state government to find a lasting solution to this menace as it affects residents’ way of life.
Another Makoko resident, Mr Saheed Abbas, an artisan, lamented the hardship that members of the community faced in accessing potable water, which had made its retailing a lucrative business.
“Before residents can access clean water in Makoko, they have to trek for a long distance. Some of them even use motorcycles to get clean water,” he said.
Abbas appealed to the state government to make life easy for them with the resuscitation of potable water in the community.
A resident living in the Igando area of the state, Mrs Lydia Anjorin, a business manager, was sad with the amount of money she spent on purchasing water in the area.
“This scarcity makes us spend significant amounts of money on bottled water and rely on potentially contaminated water sources, impacting our health and hygiene.
We demand that the authorities take steps to improve water access by building new water treatment plants, repairing existing systems, and implementing water conservation measures,” she said.
Mr Kayode Aderibigbe, a Lekki resident, expressed his frustration with the area’s water shortage.
“We often go without water for days, and when it’s available, it’s not even suitable for cooking or drinking. I was recently forced to relocate my family to my in-laws’ home due to a two-day water outage. I had to stay at one of my properties in Magodo just to take a bath.
The situation in Lekki is really disheartening,” Aderibigbe said.
However, for Mrs Ese Ayanwun, a resident of Lekki, access to clean water has become a reality in her area due to the efforts of the local water works.
Ayanwun said a water storage tank had been installed in her house that provides them with a reliable source of clean water.
“This initiative has brought significant relief compared to when we had previously struggled with water scarcity and contamination,” she said.
NAN reports that other areas such as Ajah, Ajao Estate, Ebute Metta, FESTAC and others also lack access to potable water.
A general physician, Dr Tunji Akintade, says lack of access to safe water leads to a wide range of health problems, including waterborne diseases, malnutrition, and increased vulnerability to infections.
Akintade stressed that safe and adequate water facilitates the practice of hygiene, critical to prevent morbidity and mortality, especially among children and vulnerable populations.
According to him, contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to the transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and numerous neglected tropical diseases.
“Safe and readily available water is crucial for public health, whether it is used for drinking, domestic use, or food production,” he said.
He urged the government to improve access to clean and safe water to enhance the health of citizens.
However, efforts to reach out to the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Water Corporation, Mr Anifowoshe Rasaq, for his comment proved abortive as his number has not been responsive as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, NAN reports that the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, in a report, has assured Lagos residents of a constant water supply by 2027.
Wahab said this when he took a tour of the Adiyan Phase 2 ongoing water project at Iju area of the state.
Wahab, who was impressed with the ongoing work, expressed optimism that Lagos residents would soon be enjoying uninterrupted water supply.
He said that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, had decided that the water problem must be solved.
“To solve the water problem, we had to come to Adiyan 2, which is a 70 million gallons per day project and the biggest. We have mobilised the contractor, so we just came here to see what they are doing so far, and I am glad the media men took the walk too.
“With 70 million gallons, and then we have Iju with Adiyan 1 alongside micro and mini water works, the majority of Lagos houses and homes will have pipe-borne water, which is our target, and we are looking at sometime in 2027,” he said.
NAN
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has congratulated the Muslim community in Anambra State and across Nigeria on the celebration of this year’s Eid Kabir (Eid al-Adha).
Governor Soludo expressed his goodwill while recognising the profound significance of the holy festival for Muslims, which commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s devout faith and obedience to Allah’s command.
The Governor said the celebration reminds everyone of the virtues of sacrifice, devotion, and submission to divine will that transcend religious boundaries and speak to our common humanity.
He acknowledges the valuable contributions of the Muslim brothers and sisters to the socio-economic development of Anambra State, noting that the peaceful co-existence of people of different faiths in the state remains a source of pride and a tribute to the shared values of tolerance, respect, and unity.
Soludo said: “As we celebrate this festival of sacrifice and feasting, the Governor calls upon all Nigerians to reflect on the lessons of Eid Kabir, particularly the importance of selflessness, compassion for the less privileged, and devotion to the common good, values that align perfectly with our administration’s commitment to building a prosperous, inclusive, and harmonious society”.
The Governor wishes all Muslim faithful in Anambra State and Nigeria a joyous and blessed Eid Kabir celebration, filled with peace, prosperity, spiritual fulfillment and renewed commitment to a better society for all.
Nigeria’s former Chief Justice, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais has died at the age of 89.
Recall that Uwais was born on June 12, 1936, in Zaria, Kaduna State, and served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 to 2006.
He was widely respected for his steadfast commitment to judicial reform and the protection of judicial independence throughout his tenure.
The family confirmed his passing in a brief statement today, saying: “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihir Rajiun. With hearts heavy yet full of gratitude to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, we announce the passing of our beloved father, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, former Chief Justice of the Federation.
”According to the statement, funeral rites were scheduled to take place immediately after Juma’at prayers today at the National Mosque in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu has on Thursday called on Nigerians to be patient with his administration’s reforms, assuring that “the toughest days are behind us.”
Tinubu gave the assurance in his message to mark the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.He insisted that his economic reforms had already started yielding positive results even though the journey had not been easy.
Read full message below:
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nigerian Muslims and the global Muslim Ummah as we celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
Eid-el-Kabir represents the high point of the sacred first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, a period filled with opportunities for acts of worship and good deeds. It is a time for gratitude to Almighty Allah for His countless mercies upon us as individuals and a nation.
While this festival is marked with joy and celebration, its true significance lies much deeper: Eid calls us to reflect on its core values of sacrifice, devotion, and selflessness.
To truly honour Eid, we must embody these virtues, just as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) exemplified complete submission to Allah’s will and as our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taught us. Let this sacred occasion renew our commitment to these ideals.
Eid-el-Kabir also reminds us of our responsibilities beyond faith: to show resilience, tolerance, compassion, and dedication to the progress of our beloved country.
I reaffirm my commitment to these values and express my deep appreciation for the faith, patience, and perseverance Nigerians show as we implement bold reforms.
Together, we have weathered challenging times and are approaching a brighter horizon.
Though the journey has not been easy, and some doubted our direction, the resilience of public and private sector leaders, along with the steadfast support of most Nigerians, is yielding results.
I assure you that the toughest days are behind us. We are entering a new era of renewed hope and prosperity that we promised two years ago.
We may not yet be where we aspire to be, but I urge all Nigerians not to lose hope. Let us hold on to our faith and persevere. Our reforms are gaining traction, with key economic indicators now moving in a positive direction.
Soon, all will feel the benefits.
The ultimate objective of these reforms is not just to improve statistics but to transform lives and set Nigeria firmly on the path to sustainable development.
There are no quick fixes, but we are committed to repairing the foundations of our economy once and for all.
Our administration will continue acting in the nation’s best interest, ensuring that the gains we are recording translate into improving people’s lives.
We crafted our Renewed Hope Agenda to bring prosperity to every Nigerian, and we remain steadfast in our pursuit of it.
As we celebrate today, remember that Eid-el-Kabir enjoins love, compassion, and generosity for all, regardless of faith or background. Let us care for one another’s well-being during this season and always.
In this instance, I recall recent sad developments in our country, particularly the Wednesday, May 28 heavy flooding, which submerged the market town of Mokwa, Niger State, causing deaths and destruction of properties and creating an untold humanitarian crisis.
Let us pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and fortitude for their relations. Let us join hands with the government to bring succour to the people of Mokwa.
Finally, as we observe this Eid, let us continue our prayers for our front-line officers, who risk their lives for our safety and security.
Let us pray for our leaders at all levels and our country. Let us pray for peace in our tumultuous world of troubles and uncertainties.
Let us dedicate this sacred celebration to seeking God’s guidance and blessings for our country.
May those who have more remember those in need, sharing kindness and support as true brothers and sisters. Let the virtues of perseverance, sacrifice, loyalty, faith, and shared humanity bind us closer.
May the joy and blessings of Eid-ul-Adha multiply in our lives and the life of our great nation.
May Almighty Allah accept our worship and devotion as acts of Ibadah, and may His blessings be with us always.
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