Lagos Set For Wastewater Forum
At least 525.6 billion gallons of wastewater is generated annually in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire has disclosed.
Speaking in Lagos at a function to announce the first Wastewater Investment Forum coming up on 16 March, 2011, Banire disclosed that 1.44 billion gallons of wastewater is generated by the over 18 million Lagosians daily with the attendant health and environmental implications.
He said the wastewater sector had been growing very fast over the past two years with its numerous problems.
“The complicated process of the removal of contaminants in the wastewater to produce useful end products that are safe for re-use or disposal requires a high level of infrastructural investment.
“The existing six per cent wastewater infrastructure in the state is like the proverbial drop of water in the ocean. The quantum of short and medium term capital inflow needed to spontaneously respond to the 94 per cent infrastructural deficit is not what government alone can afford,†he stated.
According to him, the wastewater challenges in the state has presented huge investment opportunities for businessmen and corporate organisations.
Banire stated that the next five years had been tagged years of investment, and this formed the bedrock of the forthcoming investment forum. He said the core investment in the sector was focused on the provision of at least two contemporary wastewater treatment plants every year for the next five years.
“This culminates in the rehabilitation of three existing ones, thereby increasing the existing wastewater infrastructure from six per cent to 35 per cent,†he added.
Banire said opportunities abound in complementary investment and services in the sector, which included rehabilitation of existing wastewater plants, financing wastewater management projects and production of fertilizer from wastewater treatment, among others.
The commissioner stated that the forthcoming forum would elucidate on the investment potential in the next five year programme for investors to key in and make good return on investment.
“The climax of the forum will be the request for expression of interest on all investment opportunities in the five years policy. I hope the business community, both local and international, will participate fully and together as a people and government, we shall deliver world class wastewater service for Lagos State,†he added.
Comments