The Lagos State Civil Society Participation for Development (LACSOP) has inaugurated members of the Lagos State Community Water Stakeholders Group (LSCWSG) to promote community-driven approaches to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in Lagos.
The stakeholder group will be responsible for facilitating consultations with community members to identify key challenges, opportunities, and feedback on WASH-related services, under the Citizens Led Accountability Mechanism (CLAIM) project for WASH supported by the USAID/ Nigeria Lagos Urban Water Sanitation and Hygiene (LUWASH).
At the inauguration which held at the Lagos State Water Corporation (LWC), the stakeholders were tasked with the responsibility of promoting gender equality and ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups in WASH-related decision-making processes.
While delivering his goodwill message at the inauguration, LWC’s Managing Director, Engr. Tijani Mukhtaar, said the inauguration marks a significant milestone in the corporation’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the delivery of water services and fostering stronger relationships within the communities in Lagos state..
Engr Mukhtaar who was represented by Mrs Peju Isola, Divisional Director, Customer, Commercial and Community at LWC said, “as the organization responsible for the provision of water, we recognize that our role extends far beyond the mere act of supplying this vital resource. It is our duty to ensure that our services meet the needs of our communities while promoting sustainability, transparency, and collaboration.
“The formation of this committee underscores our dedication to engaging with each of you, our stakeholders in a meaningful and impactful way. Having together a diverse group of voices, perspectives, and expertise, we aim to bridge gaps, address concerns, and collectively drive positive change.”
The LWC MD also added that “our mission is not only to improve the quality and reliability of our water services but also to build a strong foundation of trust and mutual respect within our communities. We believe that through open dialogue, shared goals, and cooperative efforts, we can achieve outcomes that benefit everyone involved.”
Mrs Dede Kadiri, the Executive Secretary of LACSOP who appreciated USAID LUWASH, LWC and the community members who have shown commitment to improve the state of WASH facilities in their community.
Mrs Kadiri who led the declaration for the stakeholders appealed to all members to remain committed to “ensure transparency and accountability in the delivery of WASH services and to support the alignment of WASH project activities with the broader government strategies and sectoral policies.”
The LACSOP ES also noted that the inauguration is “to build a strong foundation that will lead the implementation of the CLAIM for WASH Project, and through shared goals, we can achieve outcomes to benefit everyone.”
Rev Bola Nuga of LACSOP charged the newly inaugurated stakeholders that “this is a call to service, and we hope that together we can improve WASH interventions in Lagos.
The stakeholders are representatives of communities across Lagos state including organizations like, Child Health Organization, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), SIID Africa, The Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative, BONews Service, DEVCOMS, Accesstech, among others.