70m Gallons Daily Adiyan Waterworks Ready Soon – Omotoso

Lagos State government on Friday assured its residents that shortage of pipe-borne water in the state would soon be a thing of the past, saying the state government has intensified efforts to complete the 70 million gallons per day Adiyan II water works.

The state’s commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, gave the assurance at a Joint Citizens’ Media Engagement Forum, organised by the ministry saying that the Governor Sanwo-Olu-led administration has done so much for the betterment of the citizens.

The forum provided an opportunity for the state government to get feedback from the citizens through media practitioners on what other programmes the state needed to focus on.

The commissioner who disclosed some of the achievements of the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated that the government would not relent in its efforts to meet the needs of the people.

The Lagos State government had before now unveiled plans to complete the Adiyan Waterworks project in Iju by 2027. The N5 billion initiative is expected to provide millions of residents with access to potable water.

The Adiyan II project, designed to produce 70 million gallons of water per day (MGD), commenced during the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola but has faced delays over the years.

While stressing the importance the government attached to the project, Omotoso said, “There are challenges on water supply, like rust pipes, sabotage and wastage; 30 percent of what we need is what we have.

A state like Lagos, 30 percent is just a drop in the ocean.

“Once we have Adiyan II of 70 million gallons per day, it will go a long way, but I won’t deceive you, it requires a lot of money.”

While stressing that the governor had released funds to take care of owners of buildings who would be affected, the commissioner stated some of the owners had even said they were not interested in money.

“There are those who said they don’t want money. Once it is complete, just give us water into our homes,” he quoted some to have said.

“It is going to reach a substantial level this year. By the time we have other mini water works becoming operational and Adiyan water works, we will have solved water challenges in Lagos.”

Omotoso commended the media for their strategic partnership in propagating the programmes and policies of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.

Omotoso mentioned some of the notable projects expected to be inaugurated to include 16 Jetties to enhance water transportation, roads infrastructure, construction of Lekki International Airport, five food hubs, modern markets, 150-bed Massey Children Hospital in Lagos Island, new General Hospital in Ojo, 500- bed Mental Health Centre, Ketu-Ereyun, Epe, among others.