Water works visitors: Delegation from Africa.
- From the Patriot Ledger By KRISTEN WALSH

HINGHAM - Ajibola Makanjuola laughed as she listened to a story about a generator being used when the power went out for 45 minutes at the Aquarion Water Co. ‘‘That’s not losing power,’’ Makanjuola said. ‘‘When we lose power in Nigeria, it’s for days and weeks.’’ As part of a study paid for by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, Makanjuola is a member of a 10-person delegation from Nigeria and Kenya who came to look at U.S. water treatment facilities, including Aquarion’s plant in Hingham, to bring the information back to their countries. Makanjuola said Friday that she was impressed by the level of involvement of the public in water systems in the U.S. Aquarion is a private company that supplies water to Hull, Hingham and part of Cohasset. ‘‘Whether it is public or private, I’ve seen dedication and enthusiasm, and the community is involved,’’ said Makanjuola, whose job in Nigeria involves monitoring public health issues and protecting the environment. ‘‘That is what I’d like to see in my country, a sense of ownership.’’ On their 12-day trip, the group has visited Washington, D.C., and parts of Massachusetts, including Hingham and Boston’s Deer Island, and will go to Dallas before returning home. At Aquarion, the staff answered questions and took the group on a tour. ‘‘Many of the pipes at this facility are more than 100 years old, and this delegation is just developing this technology in their countries,’’ Aquarion spokesman Marty Cohn said. ‘‘It’s a tremendous opportunity for these visitors to learn how a system like this works.’’