World Water Day - Real challenges must be faced

The struggle for universal access to water is linked to many things -- geography and hydrogeology, governance and politics, poverty and social conflict, but in Nigeria it is also intricately linked to inadequate energy supply (in a nation that is the 6th largest supplier of petroleum to the U.S.)

Still, as countries of the world Sunday March 22, 2009, marked World Water Day with
the theme 'Sharing Water, Sharing Opportunities', the Lagos Water
Corporation (LWC) seems poised to face its challenges to increase water
supply to the residents of the state, according to this article in Nigeria's Sunday Independent.

Shomolu, Lagos - Water supply progress

Just saw this piece of good news reported in The Punch newspaper online on May 4, 2009 about water supply improvements in Shomolu Local Government Area of Lagos. The local government chairman reports they have rehabilitated 21 boreholes and procured 21 standby generators to alleviate the plight of residents in the area.

Three communities in Shomolu Local Government were in my study area. They faced some of the worst water supply in my study -- in one community, boreholes were nowhere to be found and there was only one public tap that produced whitish, foul smelling and tasting water. Residents were fed up with past broken promises by government officials to repair the water situation. The real problem is the lack of maintenance. Project get commissioned, but the resources and oversight are not dispatched to ensure they continue to serve communities.

Let's hope this marks the beginning of a new and better era of water provision.

Development vs. Democracy?

Does a choice have to be made between the two? Simon Kolawole over at This Day online (one of the main Nigerian newspapers) talks about a "Lagos model" of development--a delicate balance between politicking and technocracy.

In the following excerpt from the full article is the crux of the debate:


"I want to ask: which should come first - democracy or development? Let me put it in a different way: will Nigeria only develop when we have true democracy or is it development that will give us true democracy? I have been involved in serious debates over this. One school of thought argues, quite convincingly, that until we have free and fair elections, Nigeria cannot develop. The logic is that when you know that you derive your legitimacy genuinely from the people and not through INEC manipulation, you will have a better incentive to perform in office so that you can face the people confidently. You are beholden to the people. You will work very hard to deliver the goods and flaunt your achievements as your credential for re-election. You are therefore naturally going to be accountable to the people. But if it is INEC or your party that rigged you into power, your "loyalty" is to INEC or your party. You owe the people nothing.

The second school argues that until we have development - that is, the majority of the people have access to water, electricity, healthcare, education, roads, jobs and generally enjoy a decent standard of living - genuine democracy will continue to elude us. This school is of the conviction that rigging is very easy in an atmosphere of poverty. Voters cannot reject those N500 notes. They sell their conscience at election times. Jobless young men readily make themselves available to be used as thugs and riggers. INEC officials and security agents are also vulnerable to inducement. This school concludes that if the standard of living improves dramatically, the gospel of democracy can be well received by the people. We can then have free and fair elections and enjoy true democracy. Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State said as much recently." More...

Registration (it's free) is required to view the whole article. The comments (no registration required) also make for an interesting read.

Video - "Lagos La Vida Loca"

A good friend recently forwarded a link to a video that's been on the web for a while. If you want a good feel for what it would be like to walk around the streets of Lagos for a few days, check out this short (14 minute) 2007 video shot on location in Lagos, Nigeria with journalist Mariana Van Zeller. It took me down memory lane in a way and Van Zeller does a really good job of getting "man on the street" interviews and shots. It would have been nice to get a little more "woman on the street" but you have to give it up to her journalism skills--the best part was probably the last, when she spent an evening with neighborhood vigilantes--self and community provision of security (like water, electricity, and most other basic services). Also check out the other videos on Van Zeller's site -- she travels around the world to uncover tough stories about every day people, amplifying voice in the process.