Patrick Kelechi, Lagos
DAILY COURIER - The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has called for robust Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment in the water sector to achieve sustainable and equitable access to water and sanitation services for Nigerians.
Speaking at the 5th Lagos State International Water Conference held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, Professor Utsev emphasized the importance of prioritizing investment in the sector. He urged state governors, development partners, and the private sector to increase their involvement, highlighting the Federal Government’s ongoing support through various interventions to ensure clean and safe water for all.
The Minister noted that Lagos, despite being Nigeria's most populous and economically vibrant city, still faces significant challenges in providing adequate water and sanitation services. He stressed that PPPs can attract private investment, improve efficiency, and ensure sustainable service delivery by leveraging private sector expertise and capital.
Professor Utsev also advocated for community-based organizations to mobilize resources and implement low-cost, localized solutions, particularly in areas of operation and maintenance. Additionally, he underscored the importance of international development assistance, including grants, loans, and technical support from multilateral organizations, bilateral donors, and development agencies.
Addressing the recent Cholera outbreak, Professor Utsev detailed the ministry's proactive measures, including reactivating laboratories across the six geopolitical zones, massive citizen sensitization on personal hygiene, and ensuring proper water treatment. He also called on state governors, traditional, and religious leaders to intensify campaigns against open defecation and build more toilets to meet the open defecation-free target by next year.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also spoke at the conference, reiterating his administration's commitment to addressing the water needs of Lagosians over the past five years. Despite these efforts, he acknowledged the significant gaps remaining and called for more practical support from the Federal Government, development partners, and other stakeholders.
The three-day 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.