Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, advocates for a robust Public Private Partnership investment in the water sector to ensure sustainable and equitable access to water and sanitation services for Nigerians.
Professor Utsev, addressing the 5th Lagos State International Water Conference at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, specifically calls upon state Governors, development partners, and the private sector to prioritize increased investment in the sector.
He emphasizes that the Federal Government will continue to provide support to the states through interventions aimed at achieving access to clean and safe water and enhancing sanitation for all.
He highlights that despite Lagos being the most populous and economically vibrant city in the country, it still faces significant challenges in providing sufficient water and sanitation services for its growing population.
Professor Utsev stresses that such public-private partnerships will facilitate a strong collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to allocate more resources to the water sector.
The Minister suggests that PPPs can also attract private investments, enhance efficiency, and ensure sustainable service delivery. Furthermore, the government can leverage the expertise and capital of the private sector to upgrade existing water infrastructure and extend coverage to underserved areas.
Professor Utsev also recommends the establishment of community-based organizations to mobilize resources and implement cost-effective, localized solutions tailored to specific needs, particularly in the areas of operation and maintenance.
Underscoring the significance of international development assistance, Professor Utsev notes that such partnerships are essential for financing water and sanitation projects in Nigeria. He mentions that multilateral organizations, bilateral donors, and development agencies play a crucial role in providing grants, loans, and technical assistance to support water infrastructure development.
Regarding the Cholera outbreak in the country, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation states that the ministry has taken proactive measures to prevent further spread of the waterborne disease. These measures include reactivating the ministry’s laboratories across the six geopolitical zones of the country, conducting extensive public awareness campaigns on the importance of personal hygiene, advocating for proper water treatment, and promoting the cooking of foods and vegetables before consumption.
Professor Utsev also urges State Governors, traditional and religious leaders, to intensify campaigns against open defecation in their respective states and construct more hygienic toilets to discourage the practice of open defecation, aiming to achieve an open defecation-free status by the following year.
During the conference, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, highlights his administration’s commitment over the past five years to address the water needs of the citizens. However, Governor Sanwo-Olu acknowledges the existing gap in ensuring access to clean and safe water for the people, calling for genuine and practical actions and support from the Federal Government, development partners, and other stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector to address the water challenges in the country, particularly in Lagos State.
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.
