By Adaku Onyenucheya
After over 15 years of abandonment, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has rehabilitated the 2.4 million gallons per day water plant in Apapa, Lagos.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Apapa, on Thursday, the Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, said the authority, whose operation is dependent on water, is committed to contributing its quota to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Six, which is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
He reiterated the NPA’ efforts to intensify collaborations and partnerships geared towards the improvement of lives of its stakeholders and communities in a sustainable manner.
“Responding to the existential needs of our operating environment is top priority on our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda, and this explains why we gave speedy approval to the request of Lagos Channel Management (LCM) our Joint Venture Partner to resuscitate the Apapa Water Works, which had been non-functional for about a decade.”
“The successful commissioning today of this 2.4 Million Gallons Per Day water plant is just the beginning of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s long-term plans to enhance the infrastructure and living conditions across our Port locations,” he said.
The General Manager, Legal Service, Lagos Channel Management (LCM), Kesi Seun-Adedamola, said the project, which is worth several million of naira was wholly sponsored by her company as CSR.
He said the company 60 per cent owned by NPA and an appeal was made to the authority for the rehabilitation
The Managing Director, Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC), Muminu Badmus, said the “rehabilitation of the mini-water plant is a lifeline for the Apapa community and its neighbouring areas.
According to him, the plant would serve as a reliable and sustainable source of potable water, fostering the wellbeing and prosperity of the people.
“We recall that the Apapa Waterworks was first constructed under the visionary leadership of the late former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande. In 2007, this vital infrastructure underwent rehabilitation efforts to further bolstering its capacity.
“Nevertheless, the waterworks faced numerous challenges that impeded its operations and compromised the water supply to the community. It is at this crucial juncture that we express our sincere appreciation to the Nigerian Ports Authority for their invaluable support in rehabilitating critical components of the treatment plant,” he stated.
Source: The Guardian
