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WATER PRIVATIZATION IN LAGOS, NIGERIA |
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There are growing protests against the long standing move of the Lagos state government to privatize water in the state.
The move was initiated by the erstwhile governor of Lagos state Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and the early signs are that the new state government of Lagos led by Governor Akinwumi Ambode is not willing to back down on the plan. If anything, the state government is seemingly digging up information that will support their position. Lagos state, a former capital of Nigeria, located in Southwest of Nigeria is the commercial hub of the most populous black country in the world. The immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Fashola, who initiated the move somehow allegedly got the support of world bank for the project but the world financing outfit backed out of the project probably not being able to withstand the angst of protesters who had hit out at them for supporting the move. Civil societies in Lagos has led "Our Water Our Right" coalition. The coalition in October 2014 compelled the then governor Fashola to drop the initiative but now it has added a huge international weight to its voice. Earlier in May 2015, the Environmental Rights Action / Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) took the campaign to the US congress seeking the support of congress members to get the Lagos state government to rethink the situation and on the 11th and 12th of August 2015, the Environmental Rights Action / Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) hosted a summit on "Our Water Our Right" to further call on the government of Lagos state to drop the idea of commodification of water systems. National and International groups lent their support to the campaign at the summit. From United States to Philippines, groups are against the plans of the Lagos state government. The popular opinion against the plan is the almost certain hike in price of accessing not just drinkable water this time, but for domestic purposes. Also, many activists argue that privatization, particularly that of power, has failed in Nigeria laying off many workers in the process. The state government has however maintained that it was not privatizing water but wants to enter into a public, private partnership for its water system. It has been quite an issue in Lagos Nigeria and the people are strongly resisting it. Water is a human right and cannot be placed in the hands of the private sector. The government must shoulder that responsibility for it is one of its primary responsibility that earns it the name government. People must have access to clean, drinkable water and providing that is the thankless job of the government. The heat is on and I am hoping that the government of Lagos state will listen to the voice of the populace and drop the plan. Water is a global common and everyone has the right to claim the shared ownership. It must be made not just available, but also accessible. Our Water Our Right! Photocredit 1: Dailymail.com.ng
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5 Comments
Why doing that! This private entities have no sense of humanity! Thanks for sharing that mate! =)
Posted 20-08-2015 13:19
thanks for sharing!!! just be candic on ur coalition until the mistake is improved...privatization of global resource is not good.. good luck friend :)
Posted 20-08-2015 05:20
Many states in world have faced the brunt of private water management in terms of problems like lack of infrastructure investments, to tariff hikes to environmental hazards . So by all means,management of such basic necessity of life , safe water -should be in hands of government/public sector. I just hope that people's protests and voices are heard before it gets too late. All the best. Thanks for sharing, Udeh.
Posted 20-08-2015 03:17
Its true Udeh, that water is the basic right of all humans & it must not be privatized.
Pls keep up your awareness campaign & I'm sure that as happened in the past you will be successful in this initiative & authorities will do something positive & concrete in this direction.
Posted 19-08-2015 19:25
I agree with you.The basic need of humans is access to clean,drinking water.It should not be in the hands of private sector.It is the responsibility of the government to understand the needs of its people and work towards providing them to the people.Water Privatization is definitely not done.
Posted 19-08-2015 14:36