FOR THE RECORDS:
MEDIA
ADVISORY
July 27,2016
Today civil
society, community/faith-based groups, and labour activists numbering over 300
marched on the Lagos State House of Assembly, Secretariat to deliver a petition
titled Privatisation is not solution to Lagos water problem to the Speaker of
the House, Rt. Hon. Obasa Mudashiru.
The protest
march which kicked off at the populated Ikeja Under Bridge, saw activists march
through the streets, handing out leaflets and singing solidarity songs as they
urged Lagos residents to support the campaign to reject plans by the Lagos
State government to press on with a planned water privatisation.
The
petitioners, led by Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth
International, included key representatives of Public Services International
(PSI), the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical
and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Peace and Development Project
(PEDEP), as well as community representatives from Agege, Shomolu, Epe, Ikorodu
and Ketu.
Participating groups
urged the Speaker to join them in affirming the fundamental right to clean
water and independent self-governance which Lagos citizens deserve, frowning at
decades of the World Bank and the private water industry pushing for the PPP model
of water privatization in Lagos and throughout countries of the Global South.
In the petition,
they frowned at the decosion of the Speaker to back the PPP plans of the Lagos
State government even after the World Bank pulled back from the plan in December
2015.
Akinbode Oluwafemi
said: “We urge the Speaker and the entire members of the House to side with the
people rather than with promoters of privatization who put profits before the
right to water which is upheld as a human right by the United Nations”
Comrade Sani Baba,
Sub-regional secretary of PSI said: “PPP promoters in the water sector advance
arguments that are tailored to dousing apprehension of workers towards the
initiative but time and again, and global experience shows that workers get laid
off and rate hikes follow. The Lagos House of Assembly should reject this
initiative because that is the path this PPP arrangement will follow”
In the same vein,
Comrade Abiodun Bakare, the state secretary, AUPCTRE said that the Lagos state
government must of utmost priority ensure adequate funding for the water
sector. This administration must also investigate funding that was expended on
expansion of water infrastructure by the immediate past Group Managing Director
of LSWC”
At the end of the
protest march, the group delivered a petition demanding among others, that the
Speaker use his
good office to ensure the lawmakers make laws for the benefit of all Lagos
residents and not a few privileged corporations. They urged the House to:
1. Reject all forms of water privatization and commodification.
2. Revise all water sector laws that promotes PPP
3. Make adequate budgetary allocations to the
water sector
4. Fully uphold the human right to water as an obligation of the
government, representing the people.
5. Integrate broad public participation in developing plans to
achieve universal access to clean water.
6. Reject contracts designed by, involving, or influenced by the
IFC, which operates to maximize private profit.
7. Disclose all IFC and World Bank activity and discussions with
Lagos government officials regarding water, including formal and informal
advisory roles.
8. Build the political will to prioritize water
for the people, therefore leading to a comprehensive plan that invests in the water infrastructure necessary to provide
universal water access, which will create jobs, improve public health, and
invigorate the Lagos economy.
The Speaker was also urged to:
- Make a public statement informing your constituents about your
commitment to protect Lagos water from PPP water privatisation scheme
- Urge you to propose and develop a comprehensive plan for achieving
universal access to clean water in the state/FoEN
Philip Jakpor
Head, Media & Communication
ERA/FoEN
+234 803 725 6939
No comments:
Post a Comment