Lagos engages stakeholders on pilot PPP for Water Corporation

Lagos engages stakeholders on pilot PPP for Water Corporation

The Lagos State Government has convened a  stakeholders’ engagement on a pilot Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the Lagos Water Corporation, to explore innovative, technology-driven approaches to improving water service delivery.

Newsmen reports that the meeting, under the theme, “Attracting Investment for Improved Water Supply in Lagos State through Public-Private Partnership” took place on Thursday in Lagos.

The two-day event was organised by the Lagos Water Corporation with the support of WaterAid, Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser, Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Rotimi Akodu, said  that the initiative is a critical step in addressing the state’s growing water demand, driven by rapid urbanisation and population growth. 

Akodu said that the initiative reflects the State’s recognition that achieving universal access to potable water requires both substantial capital investment and operational efficiency - elements that can be enhanced through strategic PPP.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mr. Mahamood Adegbite,  stressed that Lagos has made commendable progress in expanding water infrastructure.

Adegbite, however, said that the scale of current challenges, from aging facilities to the impact of climate change, demands innovative partnerships that prioritise sustainability, resilience, and accountability.

According to him, the government’s vision is clear - to guarantee uninterrupted access to clean and safe water for all Lagosians. 

He added that the partnership model ensures that the infrastructure we build today would serve future generations. 

"We urge stakeholders to support and embrace this new structure for the greater good of our citizens," Adegbite said.

Also,  the PS, Office of Environmntal Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji, said that shortage in funding and reduction in foreign supports has made it compelling for the governments to be innovative in funding the water sector.

"Therefore, there is no better time to partner with the private sector to bring in funding and to improve water services than now," Gaji said.

 

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation, Mr Mukhtaar Tijani, reiterated the government’s vision to transform the water sector into a modern, efficient, and sustainable system.

Tijani said that the government envisioned a system capable of meeting the current and future needs of residents, supporting economic growth, and aligning with global best practices in water resource management.

He noted that the PPP framework offered a unique opportunity to combine public oversight with private sector innovation, operational efficiency, and investment capacity, in order to boost production, reduce water losses, and ensure efficient distribution to underserved communities.

According to him,  the PPP initiative is not an attempt to privatise water resources, but rather a strategic collaboration to improve service quality, expand coverage, and ensure the financial viability of operations.

“The decision to pilot the model through selected mini and micro waterworks is guided by the need to leverage private sector expertise, innovation, and funding.

"The goal is to complement government investments, ensuring that water facilities are not only rehabilitated but also maintained to the highest standards. 

"This phased approach is informed by a broader reform agenda that will place Lagos on a clear path toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 — Clean Water and Sanitation for All," Tijani said.

Reeling out the overview of the Pilot Public-Private Partnership for the LWC, Tijani explained that the initiative represents a crucial step in the state’s broader strategy to modernise public utilities, safeguard public health, and stimulate economic growth.

He assured that the State is committed to transparent procurement processes and robust regulatory oversight to safeguard public interest and foster a commercially attractive investment climate.

He noted that the PPP structure is deliberately designed to boost operational efficiency, minimize system losses, and guarantee equitable distribution of water resources across all localities, with particular attention to underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

He commended the efforts of WaterAid Nigeria for its commitment to supporting the Lagos Water Corporation to improve urban water supply in Lagos state.

In her remarks, the Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere,  called on the government to scale up the Akilo water scheme management model that is aimed at achieving sustainable urban water supply.

Mere said that  PPP remained a feasible panacea to improve urban water supply in Lagos to ensure residents have access to affordable and quality potable water.

 

She commended Gov.Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assenting to the WASH policy in February 2024.

According to her, the accent shows the government's commitment to strengthening the sector.

 

She noted that over 48 water works in Lagos were moribund.

She dsclosed that  Akilo waterworks, which is being rehabilitated by WaterAid Nigeria, would be inaugurated in September.

The country director charged  the state government to use Akilo  that as a model to resuscitate others.

 She enjoined the government to create an enabling environment built on an effective and sustainable legal and regulatory framework to assure investors of their Return on Investment (ROI).

 Stakeholders at the meeting lauded the State Government’s strategic drive to provide essential water resources and its openness in involving communities and private partners in decision-making.