By Abbas Nazil
The United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP/UNDP-Nigeria) have jointly commissioned a potable water project and an early warning system for flooding and pollution control in Makoko-Eegun, Lagos.
The project was launched in collaboration with Eco-Restoration Foundation and other partners.
The intervention, valued at over $60,000, aims to address severe water pollution caused by wastewater infiltration, sewage discharge, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal in the community.
Speaking at the commissioning, the National Coordinator of GEF/SGP/UNDP-Nigeria,
Ibironke Olubamishe, emphasized the importance of the community’s involvement in the project.
She said one of the key factors that influenced the decision to support the initiative was the community’s demonstrated interest and commitment.
The disclosed that a team of six researchers conducted extensive studies to design the project, which involved drilling boreholes, installing filtration and treatment systems, testing water quality, and training community members on maintenance and water safety.
She urged the residents to take ownership of the infrastructure to ensure its longevity and continued functionality.
Trustee of the Eco-Restoration Foundation, David Omaghomi, highlighted the economic benefits of the project, explaining that the community could generate revenue by selling the clean water, which would, in turn, help sustain the facility.
He described the intervention as a major step toward improving the living conditions in the impoverished fishing settlement, which has long suffered from environmental degradation, pollution from urban runoff, and the increasing threat of ocean and sea level rise.
The community-centered approach, he said, fosters a sense of ownership among residents and ensures the project’s long-term sustainability.
Director-General of the Eco-Restoration Foundation, Stephanie Nzeke Waniko, underscored the initiative’s role in addressing inadequate sanitation and pollution from both domestic and industrial sources. She pointed out that the absence of clean drinking water had significantly heightened health risks in the community, particularly for women and children.
