By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Blue Lagos Sustainability Initiative, in partnership with Uriel Construction Limited, has commenced construction of five solar-powered boreholes across underserved riverine communities in Lagos State.
The projects, sponsored by the Koh PBAT Campaign Team through Uriel Construction Limited, are located in Badagry, Amuwo-Odofin, Ojo and Epe local government areas.
The beneficiary communities are Seje Jegba in Badagry, Sagbonkodji in Amuwo-Odofin, Olomometa in Ojo, and Agadangba and Igbo Apawa in Epe.
According to the initiative, the projects are expected to improve access to water for domestic use, strengthen sanitation and reduce the difficulties residents face in obtaining safe water.
The use of solar-powered systems is also expected to reduce dependence on conventional electricity sources in the communities.
The borehole projects form part of Blue Lagos’ broader interventions targeting healthcare, water access, livelihoods and safety in riverine communities.
As part of the efforts, the initiative recently held a medical and humanitarian outreach at Ebute Ajagun, Iworo, in Badagry, serving residents of neighbouring communities, including Daddy Louis, Ajido, Etesa, Epe and Ebute Eleja.
The outreach featured free medical services, food palliatives, fish-smoking kilns for livelihood support and life jackets to improve safety for residents who depend on waterways for transportation and fishing.
The medical services were sponsored by the Medical and Safety Directorate of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, while its Humanitarian Affairs Directorate provided food palliatives.
Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, the Lagos State Governor’s Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals, donated fish-smoking kilns, while the Lagos State Waterways Authority provided life jackets.
Speaking on the interventions, Blue Lagos Team Lead, Saheed Adesanya, said the initiative was committed to ensuring that residents of underserved coastal and riverine communities were not excluded from development opportunities because of their location.
He said the initiative had also carried out interventions in communities across Amuwo-Odofin and Epe.
Blue Lagos said it would continue to work with government agencies, corporate organisations and development partners to expand access to essential services across riverine communities.
