The Nigerian Ports Authority has partnered with the Apapa Local Government Area to provide clean water to the residents through the Apapa Mini-Water Works.

Announcing on Tuesday, the Chairman of Apapa LGA, Idowu Senbanjo, said the move aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which ensures the availability and sustained management of water and sanitation for all.

(L-R) Hon. Tosan Wiltshire Supervisor for information, Intergovernmental Relations and Budget, Apapa LGA, Engr. Oluabi Ayodele Dauda, Divisional Business Manager (Southwest) Lagos State Water Corporation, Hon. Idowu Adejumoke Sebanjo Chairman Apapa LGA, Rear Admiral Austin Oyagha (Rtd), Chairman Apapa Residence Development Committee and Mrs. Irene Macfoy member, Apapa Residence Development Committee at the official opening of water for the community

Senbanjo explained that the lack of potable water had been a burden to the council and much work had been done with the support of the NPA.

“Not having clean water was a big issue for us here in Apapa. People sunk boreholes and were unable to get portable water. The cases of typhoid were on the rise and we investigated the cause down to water and it was becoming too expensive to buy water,” she said.

Senbanjo revealed that when the project began, it was discovered that most of the reticulations were in bad condition, “Because they had been abandoned for almost 15 years and so we had to ensure that they were corrected to ensure that residents get potable water and here we are today. This is a big project, and we must thank the NPA, the main financier that made it possible for our mini waterworks to be functional again,” Senbanjo added.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Apapa Residence Developmental Committee, Rear Admiral Austin Oyagha (Rtd), explained that a committee known as the Apapa Residence Development Committee was set up to address the issue of potable water supply.

“We were fortunate to have the NPA take over the sponsorship through one of its subsidiaries. Before now, Liverpool Road was reconstructed and a lot of damage occurred to the main parts of the reticulations on that road. We have repaired all the damages,  some stolen and couldn’t be recovered but we have replaced them and put some security measurements in place,” he said.