By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Government has announced plans to provide 70 million gallons of pipe-borne water daily to residents to address the city’s water supply challenges.
This was revealed by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, at the “Citizen Engagement Forum” organised by the Ministry of Information and Strategy at Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday.
Omotosho explained that despite the difficulties, the state government is committed to overcoming the obstacles in ensuring adequate water supply.
He shared that Lagos has entered into an agreement with Ogun State to secure water from the Adiyan water reservoir, adding that N600 million has already been paid to Ogun State for the daily water supply. In the health sector, Omotosho highlighted the construction of a new general hospital in Ojo, located in the Ojo Local Government Area.
Additionally, a 500-bed health centre is planned for Ikosi Ejinrin, and the Massey Hospital on Lagos Island, currently under construction, is expected to become the best healthcare facility in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in maternity care.
Omotosho also pointed out that the new general hospital in Ojo is the first general hospital built by the state in the past decade.
He added that a Mental Health Centre is being established in Epe to address growing concerns around mental health, which has often been overlooked despite its increasing significance globally. Moreover, he said, the Massey Street Children’s Hospital is being developed to reduce infant mortality and improve maternal healthcare, ensuring that women have better support during childbirth.
On transportation, Omotosho said notable achievements include the on-going Red Line railway project, which has sparked excitement, and the planned commissioning of ten additional ferries, bringing the total number to 25.
Additionally, 16 new jetties are set to be launched in areas such as Ibeshe, Ilashe, and Liverpool to improve water transport, he said.
The state is also making progress on plans to establish an international airport in Lekki to alleviate congestion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja. Omotosho confirmed that the agreement to set up the new airport has been signed, with preparations underway for its development.
“The state government has installed 2,000 solar-powered streetlights, significantly reducing the monthly expenditure, which had previously amounted to N600 million,” he said.