LASG Calls for Investments to Upgrade Mini and Micro Waterworks
The Lagos State Government has called for increased private sector investment in the water sector to expand access to safe and reliable water supply across the state.
This was the focus of a two-day high-level Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Pilot Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the Lagos Water Corporation, themed “Attracting Investment for Improved Water Supply in Lagos State through Public-Private Partnership.”
The meeting, supported by WaterAid Nigeria, brought together sector experts, community leaders, private investors, civil society organisations, and development partners to explore innovative, technology-driven approaches to water service delivery.
Speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Rotimi Akodu, described the initiative as a critical step toward meeting Lagos’ growing water demand, driven by rapid urbanisation and population growth. He emphasised that achieving universal access to potable water requires significant capital investment and operational efficiency—both of which can be strengthened through private sector collaboration.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, acknowledged progress made in water infrastructure but stressed the need for sustainable partnerships to tackle challenges such as ageing facilities and the impact of climate change.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, noted that dwindling funding and competing government priorities have made private sector partnerships essential to sustaining water services.
Reiterating the government’s vision, the Managing Director of the Lagos Water Corporation, Engr. Mukhtaar Tijani, said the PPP model is designed to combine public oversight with private sector innovation, operational efficiency, and funding capacity. He clarified that the initiative is not about privatising water resources but about improving service quality, reducing water losses, expanding coverage, and ensuring financial sustainability.
According to him, the decision to pilot the model through selected mini and micro waterworks is aimed at leveraging private expertise to rehabilitate, upgrade, and maintain facilities to the highest standards, thereby guaranteeing uninterrupted access to clean water for residents.
