In order to ensure that Nigerians have equitable and sustainable access to water and sanitation services, the Honorable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engineering, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has called for a significant investment through Public-Private Partnerships in the water sector.
Speaking today at the 5th Lagos State International Water Conference at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, Professor Utsev emphasized that the Federal Government will continue to support the states through interventions to achieve access to clean and safe water and improve sanitation for all. He specifically urged state governors, development partners, and the private sector to prioritize more investment in the sector.
He emphasized that such a public-private partnership will ensure a robust collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to invest more resources in the water sector. Lagos, the most populous and economically vibrant city in the country, is still facing significant challenges in providing adequate water and sanitation services for its burgeoning population.
The Minister claims that while the government can use the resources and experience of the private sector to upgrade current water infrastructure and extend coverage to underserved areas, PPPs can also draw in private investment, increase efficiency, and guarantee sustainable service delivery.
Professor Utsev also supported community-based organizations that would pool resources and apply inexpensive, decentralized solutions tailored to regional requirements, particularly in the areas of upkeep and operation.
Professor Utsev emphasized the value of international development assistance by stating that partnerships of this kind were essential for funding water and sanitation projects in Nigeria. He also mentioned the significance of multilateral organizations, bilateral donors, and development agencies in terms of their ability to provide grants, loans, and technical assistance to support the development of water infrastructure.
Regarding the cholera outbreak in the nation, the minister of water resources and sanitation stated that his ministry has taken proactive measures to stop the disease from spreading further. These measures include reactivating the ministry’s laboratories throughout the nation’s six geopolitical zones, raising public awareness of the importance of improving personal hygiene, making sure that all potable water is properly treated or boiled, and cooking foods and vegetables before consuming them.
In order to help the nation reach its goal of having no open defecation by the following year, Professor Utsev also urged State Governors, Traditional and Religious Leaders, and Builders to step up their campaigns against open defecation and provide more sanitary restrooms for their citizens.
The governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, spoke at the conference and stated that his administration has dedicated the last five years to meeting the water needs of his people.
To address the nation’s water needs, particularly in Lagos State, Governor Sanwo-Olu said that despite his concerted efforts, there was still a significant gap in ensuring that his people had access to clean, safe water. He therefore called for more sincere and useful actions and support from the Federal Government, development partners, and other important stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector.
Presenters at the three-day International Conference on the theme “Financing Water and Sanitation for a Greater Lagos” included USAID, other development partners, and Mrs. Jette Bjerrum, the Danish Consul General in Lagos.
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