In a significant effort to tackle the water challenges faced by rural areas, WaterAid Nigeria, in partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation, has installed solar-powered water facilities in the Araromi Temidire and Itele Nla communities in Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos. These newly commissioned Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities will provide residents with much-needed access to clean, safe, and hygienic water.
The solar-powered water systems, designed with modern treatment plants, ensure that previously unsafe water is now potable, significantly improving the quality of life for over 6,000 residents. The water project includes a six-thousand-liter tank in Itele Nla and a three-thousand-liter tank in Araromi Temidire.
At the inauguration of the water systems, representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources commended WaterAid and the PepsiCo Foundation for their effort. Speaking on behalf of the ministry, Mr. Gbenga Oyedele noted, “This initiative supports our goal of providing safe drinking water for all Lagosians. We encourage beneficiaries to take ownership and maintain these facilities to ensure sustainability.”
Community Ownership and Sustainability
The Vice Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, Mr. Olawale Apanisile, expressed gratitude for the project, urging residents to prioritize the upkeep of the facilities. He emphasized that maintenance would encourage further interventions in other communities. “We are fortunate to be beneficiaries of this laudable project. It is now up to us to maintain it and ensure its longevity for the benefit of all,” he said.
Prince Niran Ogunbanwo, the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) of Ikorodu North LCDA, highlighted how the solar-powered water system would help prevent the spread of water-borne diseases, which had plagued the community prior to this intervention.
A Step Towards SDG 6
The WASH Manager for WaterAid Nigeria, Mr. Godfrey Iloha, urged the Lagos State Government to replicate such projects across other rural areas in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which seeks to ensure clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. “We tested the water quality in these communities, and it was highly contaminated. Now, with our treatment plants in place, the water is safe for consumption. We hope the state government will scale this initiative to other vulnerable communities,” he added.
