Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has clarified recent reports on its water distribution network particularly the interpretation of figures relating to its registered connections.
The Managing Director Mukhtaar Tijani an engineer in a statement said: ”The clarification follows a report suggesting that the corporation’s network reaches only 1.03 per cent of Lagos State’s population. The corporation can confirm that at no time was an interview conducted with or authorised by the agency for this report.
”The 1.03 per cent figure does not reflect how LWC’s connections are registered or the number of residents served through a single connection. Connections within the LWC network are plot-based and each connection serves multiple households and residents. Treating each connection as one household significantly understates the corporation’s reach.
”LWC has 34424 registered plot connections. Based on an average of 48 residents per plot these connections serve approximately 1.65 million residents around 8.3 per cent of the state’s population of over 20 million.”
”Connection numbers do not equal the number of people served and production capacity does not equal water delivered. Treating these figures as the same gives an inaccurate picture of water access in Lagos.
”Lagos State’s installed water production capacity has the potential to serve a substantially larger proportion of the population. However ageing infrastructure power supply constraints and ongoing rehabilitation works continue to affect operational performance and the reliability of supply in some areas.
”We acknowledge that significant challenges remain in meeting the growing demand for water across Lagos State. Population growth and urban expansion require sustained investment in water production facilities distribution infrastructure operational efficiency and long-term planning. Our focus is on strengthening infrastructure improving operational performance and expanding access to reliable and sustainable water services for residents across the state.
”We welcome informed public scrutiny of our performance and value accurate transparent reporting. Discussions about water supply in Lagos must be based on a clear understanding of how the network operates what the available figures measure and the work required to close the gap between demand and supply.
”Lagos Water Corporation remains committed to strengthening the state’s water supply system and delivering sustainable improvements for the people of Lagos.”