Five solar-powered borehole projects have commenced in underserved riverine communities across four local government areas of Lagos State, as the Blue Lagos Sustainability Initiative expands interventions to improve access to safe water, healthcare and livelihood support.
The projects sponsored by Uriel Construction Limited are located in Seje Jegba, Badagry Local Government Area; Sagbonkodji, Amuwo-Odofin; Olomometa, Ojo; and Agadangba, Ward C1, and Igbo Apawa, Ward D1, in Epe Local Government Area.
The initiative said the boreholes were designed to ease difficulties in accessing water for domestic use, improve sanitation and public health, and reduce residents’ dependence on less reliable water sources. Solar power is expected to reduce reliance on conventional electricity.
The infrastructure projects are being undertaken alongside community interventions in Badagry, where Blue Lagos recently organised a medical and humanitarian outreach at Ebute Ajagun, Iworo, and neighbouring riverine communities, including Ajido, Daddy Louis, Etesa, Epe and Ebute Eleja.
The outreach provided free medical services, food assistance, fish-smoking kilns to support livelihoods and life jackets to improve safety on the waterways.
The medical services were sponsored by the Medical Directorate of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, while food palliatives were donated by its Humanitarian Affairs Directorate under the leadership of Bisola Olusanya.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, donated fish-smoking kilns, while the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) provided life jackets under the leadership of the Special Adviser on Blue Economy, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel.
Team Lead of Blue Lagos, Saheed Adesanya, said the interventions were intended to ensure that residents of underserved coastal and riverine communities were not excluded from development opportunities because of their location.
He said the Badagry outreach built on previous interventions in communities including Sagbonkodji, Bishop Kodji, Takwa Bay, Ilado-Odo in Amuwo-Odofin, and Yegunda, Ito Omu, Isan, Oko-Abe, Ito Osun, Saga, Emina and Take Nla in Epe.
Adesanya said the initiative combined immediate humanitarian assistance with longer-term interventions to improve public health, strengthen livelihoods and enhance residents’ safety and welfare.
The distribution of life jackets is intended to support safer transportation and fishing activities among residents who depend on boats and other water transport services.
Blue Lagos said the projects and outreach relied on partnerships with government agencies, humanitarian organisations and community stakeholders to address infrastructure gaps and improve access to essential services.
The initiative called for sustained collaboration among government institutions, development partners, the private sector and community leaders to expand access to healthcare, safe water, livelihood opportunities and waterway safety across Lagos State.