The current cholera crisis in the country would have spiralled out of control if the Lagos State government had not been proactive in controlling the spread of the water borne epidemic, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said. Sanwo-Olu said but for the quick activation of the state’s incident command mechanism and surveillance system to control the contagious disease, the country would have been grappling with the “catastrophic consequence” that could have resulted from the reoccurrence of the epidemic. Lagos remains the most burdened state as the epidemic spikes in 31 states, with the fatality rate put at 3.
5 per cent since the beginning of the year. According to a statement by Gboyega Akosile, who is Special Adviser to the Governor on Media And Publicity, Sanwo-Olu linked the spread of cholera to the drop in sanitation at the community level and the intake of contaminated water. The country’s vulnerability to waterborne diseases, the governor said, had reinforced the need for collaboration between the government and development partners to resolve issues surrounding provision of clean water.
The governor spoke at the 2024 Lagos International Water Conference held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island. The event, with the theme, “Financing Water and Sanitation for a Greater Lagos,” was organised by Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO). At the large gathering comprising stakeholders, regulators and funding partners, Sanwo-Olu said discussions mus.
