The Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and Naston Engineering Nigeria Limited to commence the scoping and design of key water infrastructure projects aimed at expanding access to potable water across the state.
The agreement, signed on Thursday, marks a significant step in the state’s efforts to strengthen water supply infrastructure and improve access to safe and reliable drinking water for its rapidly growing population.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, described the agreement as a major milestone in the government’s drive to deliver sustainable water services to residents.
He explained that the one-year MoU provides a collaborative framework for the development of two strategic project components that will lay the foundation for the next phase of water infrastructure expansion in Lagos.
According to Wahab, the first project lot will focus on the installation of a water transmission pipeline beneath the Lagos Lagoon into the Lekki Concession Area.
“The second project lot will define downstream distribution activities, including metering and last-mile connections within the concession area,” he said.
The commissioner noted that upon completion of the engagement, the state government expects to receive a comprehensive technical report and implementation framework that will guide project execution and facilitate the preparation of a concession agreement between the Lagos State Government and the consortium.
Speaking on behalf of Naston Engineering Nigeria Limited, the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Kole Funsho, thanked the Lagos State Government for its confidence in the consortium, describing the MoU as the beginning of a process that would culminate in the delivery of a robust and bankable water infrastructure project.
Funsho said the agreement clearly outlines the scope of the proposed concession and reaffirmed the consortium’s commitment to completing the required technical studies within the stipulated timeframe, or even ahead of schedule.
He disclosed that the consortium would prepare detailed engineering designs, project cost estimates and tariff structures to support the final concession agreement with the state government.
According to him, successful implementation of the assignment will require close collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, as well as other relevant government agencies, to obtain critical drainage and infrastructure data needed to properly align the proposed transmission pipelines without disrupting existing roads, drainage systems and other public infrastructure.
Funsho expressed optimism that the partnership between the consortium and the Lagos State Government would pave the way for the successful implementation of the projects, significantly improving potable water supply and enhancing water infrastructure across Lagos State.
