No fewer than 1180 water purifiers (water guards) were at the weekend presented to the Otto Community, Lagos Island, by Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Co. Ltd (SEEPCO) in its commitment to healthy living by increasing access to safe drinking water by residents.
The Executive Director, Distribution Department, Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC), Mr Saheed Olatunji, presenting the water guards to beneficiaries at the event which took place at the Otto Primary School, Ijora-Olopa, Lagos, commended SEEPCO for the initiative aimed at ensuring that the poor have unfettered access to safe drinking water.
Safe drinking water is at the heart of SEEPCO, and it aims to build a favourable, empowered, and prosperous community. The company is dedicated to encouraging the right to safe drinking water.
He said: “Water is connected to every form of life. Contaminated water can lead to preventable health hazards with unimaginable impact on the community. The SEEPCO initiative which will promote access to safe drinking water will help reduce the prevalence of water borne diseases and improve the quality of life for the community.”
Addressing mothers and children from Otto Community during the programme with the theme: “Safe drinking water, healthy living,” Olatunji described safe drinking water as a fundamental human right and one of the most universal necessities for life. He said safe drinking water is essential for human existence, as it contributes to good health, and community resilience.
He said the Water Guards would ensure that women in the community and by extension their families would have access to sustainable and safe drinking water.
The Chairman Otto Community Development Association, Lagos State, Mr. Muheez Salako, said, ‘Providing safe drinking water has become a challenge for humankind. We want to thank SEEPCO for understanding our challenges and to strengthen the Otto community through safe drinking water.’
According to him, safe drinking water is among the highest priorities of every community, saying though water is bountiful, what is needed is to ensure that it is treated, purified, and is safe for consumption.
Special dignitaries who honoured the event included Mr.Olatunji Saheed – Executive Director, Distribution Department, Lagos Water Corporation, Lagos State, Engr. Mrs. Oridami Bright – Assistant Director Lagos Water Corporation, Lagos State, Mr. Lanre Adetayo – Southwest Water Lead, Society for Family Health, Lagos State, Hon. Azeez Oloto – Councillor, Otto Community Ward, Otto Community, Lagos State, Mr. Muheez Salako – Chairman Otto Community Development Association, Otto Community, Lagos State and Mrs. Babalaye Oluwakemi Abeni – Chairperson World Health Community, Otto Community, Lagos State.