Perhaps, this precarious situation is a manifestation of the projections made by the Global World Water Report that the world would have only 60% of the water it needs by 2030.
Considering this situation, there must be concerted efforts of all countries to effect a significant policy that would drive development of water resources and accelerate production and supply of water for sustaining the world population.
However, Nigeria is not relenting, as the country has developed a National Water Resources Master Plan, spanning 2014 – 2030, for water resources development, water supply, irrigation, and other related issues, that would resolve the major challenges inhibiting efficiency of water supply in the Country.
Lagos, a resilient state and the commercial hub of Africa, with the population of over 22 million people, is unperturbed about this situation as it is continuously putting in place various strategies to tackle the challenge of water scarcity before it arises.
The state has developed a Lagos Water Supply Master Plan (2010 – 2020) as a road map to tackling the challenge of water production and supply.
These water plants are currently supplying over 10 communities in Agbowa /Ikorodu area of the State.
Other proposed schemes include Adiyan Phase III of 70MGD, with 6,295 km network, Ibese Phase I Water Treatment Plant of 50 MGD, and the Yewa/Ishasi water scheme calculated to produce 85MGD In addition, a proposed integrated water supply in Ikorodu and its peri-urbans will be executed to supply 35MGD.
This project will comprise upgrading Ota-Ikosi from 4MGD to 31MGD; the rehabilitation of Oke-Ota-Ona Water Plant and Lagos road mini waterworks currently supplying 3MGD and 2MGD respectively.
The Corporation now produces and supplies uninterrupted water to residents in the State, evidenced by the fact that communities that had never been supplied water for many years are now being supplied potable water.
While as of now water demand in the state is 540 MGD, and supply is 220 MGD, there is a great gap of 320 MGD Therefore, based on the present plans and ongoing water projects in the state, Lagos Water Corporation has the capacity to deliver 745MGD, when demand hits 733MGD, giving the State excess of 12MGD.