70 manufacturers expected at Waste Water Technology expo

Over 70 manufacturers and water packagers are expected at this year’s West Africa Waste Water Technology expo and exhibition (Elan Expo) billed to take place between July 10 and 12 this year.

According to Jude Chime, project coordinator of Elan Expo Nigeria, the event promises to rally all stakeholders in the water and waste management sector to see how they can increase participation in the areas of water supply, distribution, sanitation, and recent technologies in the waste water sector.

“Seventy manufacturers and investors from other parts of the world and West Africa are expected. Lagos State Water Corporation, which is a key stakeholder, will tell us about the experience of water supply in the state so that other states can learn from that,” Chime said.

He said some stakeholders from different parts of the world are aware of the event already and some have confirmed attendance.

“We have heard from the embassies and they are all willing to cooperate and participate in this exhibition. We also have strong support from institutions related to water like the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and others. This is an exhibition that can provide solutions for 2020. It is a continuous process until we get all the aspects in the water sector right,” Chime stated.

Muminu Badmus, managing director of the Lagos Water Corporation, stated the expo is important as it is difficult to separate water from waste water.

“It is from water you get the waste water. It will be an opportunity for us to learn, innovative ideas and equipment out there and see how we can incorporate them into the service we are providing locally. It is something we need to take advantage of. We would love to partner with them and provide field trip to some of our facilities.”

“We have gone a long way, so it will be an opportunity to showcase what we have done. This expo is an opportunity to talk to investors so we can bridge the gap and supply more safe water. We will continue to do our best to ensure that by 2020, every household is connected to water,” Badmus said.

The organisers say there has been a lot of support from many government ministries, including the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, which is also willing to support the event, adding that various states water corporations have been visited, including those in the south-west and about 10 in the northern part of the country.

ANGEL JAMES