The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev has called for a robust Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment in the water sector to achieve sustainable and equitable access to water and sanitation services for Nigerians.
The Minister made this call today at the 5th Lagos State International Water Conference held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
Professor Utsev urged state governors, development partners, and the private sector to prioritize investment in the water sector.
He emphasized that the Federal Government will continue to support states through interventions to provide clean and safe water and improve sanitation for all.
“Lagos, being the most populous and economically vibrant city in the country, still grapples with significant challenges in providing adequate water and sanitation services for its teeming population.
“Public-private partnerships will ensure robust collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to invest more resources in the water sector,” the Minister stated.
He highlighted that PPPs can attract private investment, improve efficiency, and ensure sustainable service delivery.
“The government can leverage private sector expertise and capital to upgrade existing water infrastructure and expand coverage to underserved areas,” he added.
Professor Utsev also advocated for community-based organizations to mobilize resources and implement low-cost, decentralized solutions tailored to local needs, particularly in areas of operation and maintenance.
The Minister stressed the importance of international development assistance, noting that partnerships with multilateral organizations, bilateral donors, and development agencies are crucial for financing water and sanitation projects in Nigeria.
“These partnerships provide grants, loans, and technical assistance to support water infrastructure development,” he stated.
Addressing the recent Cholera outbreak, Professor Utsev detailed the ministry’s proactive steps to prevent the further spread of the water-borne disease.
“These measures include reactivating the ministry’s laboratories across the six geopolitical zones, massive sensitization of citizens on personal hygiene, ensuring proper treatment or boiling of water, and cooking foods and vegetables before consumption,” he said.
The Minister also called on state governors, traditional, and religious leaders to scale up campaigns against open defecation and build more decent toilets to discourage the practice.
“This effort aims to help the country achieve its open defecation-free target by next year,” he emphasised.
Speaking at the conference, Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu highlighted his administration’s commitment to addressing the water needs of Lagos citizens over the past five years.
However, he acknowledged the persistent gap in achieving access to clean and safe water and called for more genuine and practical actions and support from the Federal Government, development partners, and other critical stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector.
The three-day International Conference, themed “Financing Water and Sanitation for a Greater Lagos,” featured presentations from the Counsel General of Denmark in Lagos, Mrs Jette Bjerrum, USAID, and other development partners.
