Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasized the urgent need for sustained private and philanthropic funding to tackle the inadequacies in Lagos State’s water infrastructure during a United Nations climate change conference-side event in Dubai.
Highlighting the immense challenge faced by Lagos, home to over 22 million people, Sanwo-Olu revealed a stark reality: the city receives only 210 million gallons of its required 700 million gallons of daily potable water. This glaring shortfall impacts underserved communities significantly, posing substantial risks to public health and safety.
Acknowledging the limitations in available resources, the governor stressed the imperative to address this shortfall, particularly as it directly affects vulnerable communities. He noted that Lagos requires less than 1% of the global $1.7 trillion investment gap in clean water.
Sanwo-Olu also underscored the additional challenge posed by irregular electricity, which hampers the utilization of installed capacity to below 40%. He advocated for equity in the distribution of climate financing, particularly directing attention to cities like Lagos with sizable youth populations that could greatly benefit from impactful funding.
Asserting the importance of equitable access to resources, the governor emphasized the need for accountability in the global distribution of resources. He highlighted equity as a crucial pillar in the global response to climate challenges.
The conference’s theme, “Valuing Water: A Lifeline in Climate Transition,” organized by the Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum and Sustainable Market Initiative, has brought attention to the necessity of increased investments in clean water projects globally.
Discussions at the Valuing Water roundtable during the COP28 climate talks echoed the urgency to address this critical issue through enhanced investments.
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