Economist, Public Affairs Analyst and Maritime Consultant
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Water is life, but for many households across Ajegunle, access to safe and reliable water has increasingly become a daily struggle. In a densely populated community that contributes significantly to the social and economic life of Lagos State, the persistent inadequacy of public water supply raises important questions about infrastructure, public health and the meaning of inclusive urban development.
Ajegunle is not merely a residential community. It is a vibrant economic environment populated by traders, artisans, transport workers, professionals, entrepreneurs, students and thousands of families whose daily activities contribute to the Lagos economy. Yet, despite this enormous human and economic potential, many residents continue to depend heavily on boreholes, wells, water vendors and packaged water to meet basic household needs.
This situation deserves urgent attention from the Lagos State Government and, particularly, the Lagos Water Corporation.
The challenge is not simply about the availability of water. It is about the availability of safe, affordable, accessible and dependable water. A household should not have to wake up every morning worrying about where to obtain water for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing and sanitation.
For low-income households, the cost of purchasing water from private vendors can become a significant financial burden. When the price of food, transportation, electricity, education and healthcare is already putting pressure on family budgets, spending additional money every day to secure water further reduces household purchasing power.
The problem also affects businesses.
Ajegunle has thousands of small and medium-scale businesses whose operations depend directly or indirectly on water. Food vendors, restaurants, laundries, hairdressers, barbers, block moulders, car-wash operators and other enterprises require regular water supply. When water is unavailable or expensive, their operating costs increase, and those additional costs are eventually transferred to consumers.
The consequences are even more serious from a public-health perspective.
Where households depend on poorly protected wells or other alternative sources, the possibility of contamination becomes a major concern, particularly in areas affected by flooding, poor drainage and inadequate sanitation. Unsafe water can contribute to the spread of water-borne diseases and place additional pressure on already vulnerable households.
This is why the revitalisation of Ajegunle Water Works should not be viewed simply as another infrastructure project. It should be regarded as a public-health, economic-development and social-investment programme.
The Lagos Water Corporation needs to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the existing water infrastructure serving Ajegunle communities. Such an assessment should identify dysfunctional facilities, damaged pipelines, areas with inadequate pressure, communities without access to the public network and locations where water demand has significantly exceeded existing capacity.
Where infrastructure has deteriorated, rehabilitation should be followed by a sustainable maintenance programme. Replacing old pipelines without establishing a reliable maintenance system will only postpone the problem.
The distribution network also needs to be expanded. Ajegunle's population and economic activities have grown considerably over the years, and water infrastructure must reflect that reality. Modern water planning should be based on current population, household density, commercial activity and projected future demand.
There is also a strong case for exploring renewable energy solutions. Solar-powered pumping systems could complement conventional electricity supply and help reduce interruptions associated with unreliable power. Such systems could be deployed strategically at water facilities and community distribution points.
However, government investment alone may not be sufficient. There is room for responsible collaboration between the Lagos State Government, Lagos Water Corporation, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, private investors, community development associations and other stakeholders.
Community participation is particularly important. Residents should be encouraged to report damaged pipelines, illegal connections, vandalism and other problems affecting water infrastructure. Community representatives can also play a role in monitoring the performance of public water facilities.
At the same time, government must ensure transparency and accountability in the management of water projects. Residents deserve to know what facilities are being rehabilitated, what investments are being made and how projects are progressing.
The economic argument for investing in water infrastructure is compelling.
When households have reliable access to water, they spend less on emergency water purchases. Businesses operate more efficiently. Schools can maintain better hygiene. Health facilities can improve sanitation. Workers lose less time searching for water. Families experience improved living conditions.
In other words, investment in water is an investment in productivity.
Lagos State has repeatedly demonstrated its ambition to develop a modern and globally competitive megacity. Such ambition must include communities such as Ajegunle. A megacity cannot be considered truly inclusive if significant numbers of its residents continue to struggle to obtain basic necessities such as clean and affordable water.
Ajegunle's water challenge also presents an opportunity for the Lagos Water Corporation to demonstrate what responsive public utility management can achieve. A properly rehabilitated and efficiently managed Ajegunle Water Works could become a model for sustainable community-based water infrastructure in densely populated urban settlements.
The solution, therefore, should not be limited to temporary water tankers or emergency interventions. Those measures may provide short-term relief, but Ajegunle needs a permanent and sustainable water supply system.
The Lagos Water Corporation should develop a clear Ajegunle Water Works revitalisation plan with measurable targets, timelines and mechanisms for community feedback. The objective should be straightforward: ensure that households and businesses across Ajegunle communities have dependable access to safe and affordable water.
The residents of Ajegunle should not have to choose between buying food and buying water. Water should not become a luxury reserved for those who can afford private boreholes or commercial vendors.
Good governance is ultimately measured by the extent to which public policies improve people's everyday lives. Roads, bridges, schools and other infrastructure are important, but access to clean water remains one of the most fundamental indicators of human development.
For Ajegunle, the message is clear: the water crisis requires a long-term solution, not temporary relief.
The Lagos State Government and the Lagos Water Corporation have an opportunity to change the narrative by restoring, expanding and modernising the Ajegunle Water Works and ensuring that its benefits reach communities across the area.
Water is life. Providing reliable access to it is not merely a service obligation; it is an investment in the health, dignity, productivity and future of Ajegunle.
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