A partnership between WaterAid and the Lagos State Government resulted in the unveiling of a newly installed 6,000-litre solar-powered borehole, refurbished toilets, and handwashing stations at Community and LGA Primary schools in Ijegun.
Evelyn Mere, WaterAid Nigeria’s Country Director, emphasised that the commissioning, coinciding with World Toilet Day 2023, marked a significant step. The project targets approximately 2000 schoolchildren and staff, fostering improved water and sanitation facilities.
This initiative falls under the ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement Project’ funded by the PepsiCo Foundation. Mere highlighted its objective to impact 173,000 people across three years, promoting clean water, sanitised sanitation, and hygiene practices.
Stressing the project’s transformative impact, Mere highlighted its role in enhancing learning environments, especially for girls, who can attend school with ease due to improved facilities.
The project also aims to strengthen systems by empowering local communities, training female mechanics, and establishing a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committee (WASHCOM) to maintain these facilities.
Mere underscored the critical need for enhanced WASH services in Nigeria, citing statistics revealing significant gaps in access to basic amenities, especially in Lagos State.
C.D. Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation, commended the ongoing partnership with WaterAid, expressing pride in the transformative work improving access to safe water in Lagos. He highlighted their long-term goal of reaching 100 million people with safe water by 2030.
Chairman of Ikotun Igando LCDA, Lasis Akinsanya, expressed gratitude, affirming the project’s positive impact on pupils and staff. He pledged the LCDA’s commitment to safeguard the facilities and urged for further projects in the area.
Goodwill messages poured in from various entities, showcasing support for the initiative, while students demonstrated their understanding of personal hygiene through engaging plays and dramas.
The event’s highlight culminated in the unveiling of the project by LCDA Chairman Akinsanya, symbolising a step towards improved sanitation and water access for Lagos schools.
