All is now set for the third edition of Lagos International Water Conference (LIWA), aimed at supporting regulation of the water sector and improving expansion of access to water by utilities.
The event, scheduled to hold on June 28 and 29, 2022 is primed to attract global experts on water sanitation and provision, to the ambience of the Eko Hotel & Suite in Lagos.
The event, organized by the focused Mrs Funke Adepoju led Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission ( LASWARCO) is billed to deepen conversations on new possibilities for water and sanitation in Lagos State.
Announcing the planned, star-studded international conference, the Executive Secretary of the LASWARCO herself, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, enthused that several international development finance institutions are warming up for the event.
The theme of the conference, according to her, is, “Unlocking investments and sustainable access to clean water and sanitation services: The regulatory imperative”.
She listed the international organisations to include “Africa Development Bank, USAID, WaterAid, Citytaps, and Resallience, to mention a few”.
She added that other water and sanitation organisations like Simon Moos, Denmark; East Africa Water Regulators; National Council of Water and Sanitation Council, (NWASCO), Zambia; Global Water Leaders; CSOs, and other professional bodies are all set for the conference.
“LIWAC was birthed by the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission in 2020 under my leadership.
“This third edition, LIWAC 2022, aims at deepening conversations on new possibilities for water and sanitation in Lagos State,” she further informed.
Adepoju also disclosed that the Lagos State Government, through the LASWARCO, had drawn up a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Wateraid and USAID, “to support regulation of the water sector and improvement of expansion of access to water by utilities”.
Unveiling the roll-call of some of the resource persons for the scheduled conference, Adepoju stressed that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, would set the ball rolling by informing the gathering of the landmark efforts made by his administration to enhance water supply and improve on sanitation in Lagos megalopolis.
In tow, Sanwo-Olu would be complemented with remarks from the state’s Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello.
Other experts scheduled to address the gathering include: Mr. Christopher Gasson of Global Water Leadership Group; Mr. Perry Rivers, President/CEO, Manila Waters for Philippines and Asia Pacific; Dr. Taibat Lawanson, Co-director, Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development; Engr. Ajishegiri, WASH Sector Reform Specialist, and Engr. Kelvin Chitumba, Director, National Water and Sanitation Council, Zambia.
The Liberation News gathered that the commission has witnessed significant progress under Adepoju’s leadership because of her untiring resolve and marshal plan for the water sector.
Findings also revealed that she has enjoyed overwhelming support from the bureaucracy and constructively engaged stakeholders in the water sector.
Industry watchers believe that Adepoju’s tenure so far has changed the water regulatory commission’s lethargic approach of the past.
To industry bookmakers, the conference, a product of Adepoju’s tenacity of purpose promises to the badly needed international engagement/standards necessary to usher in a good tidings in the water sector of Lagos State.
