By Bunmi Yekini
A coalition of civil society groups has rejected the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for water supply in Lagos State, calling instead for alternatives that prioritize public ownership and accountability.
At a meeting with the House Committee on Environment (Parastatals) on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the groups, including Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF), Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), Ecumenical Water Network Africa/Blue Communities Africa (EWNA/BCA), Child Health Organisation and the New Life Community Care Initiative (NELCCI), urged the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) to explore the Public-Public Partnership (PuP) model, which they said has proven successful in other countries.
In a petition submitted earlier in August, the coalition alleged that billions of naira allocated to water projects over the past decade may have been mismanaged or wasted. They demanded an investigation into projects such as the N4 billion Otta-Ikosi waterworks, awarded in 2007 but still non-functional, and the N3 billion Independent Power Plant (IPP), which they claimed continues to drain N180 million monthly on fuel.
“The people of Lagos have been shortchanged for too long,” the petition read. “We cannot continue to pump billions into projects that never deliver water to communities. These sums must be investigated and recovered for the rehabilitation of our water utilities.”
Other expenditures flagged include N897 million for rehabilitation of Iju and Adiyan Waterworks, N789 million for 48 mini and micro waterworks, N2.7 billion for Ishasi Waterworks, N950 million for chemicals in 2023, N315 million in advanced payment for liquid alum, N1.2 billion for water treatment chemicals in 2024, and N9.5 million for repairs of a chemical store gate at Iju and Adiyan.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Shabi Rasheed Adekola, confirmed that the Assembly has not approved the pilot PPP in the water sector and assured petitioners that their concerns will be investigated.
“The House will undertake a comprehensive probe of the projects and sums listed in your petition,” Adekola said. “The Speaker himself asked that this meeting be convened, and we commend you for bringing these issues forward.”
He criticized the Lagos Water Corporation for failing to engage in broad consultations before pushing for the PPP model. “The Corporation must sit with civil society, experts, and affected communities to chart solutions to Lagos’ water crisis,” he added.
The coalition maintained that Lagos needs a people-centered approach to water management. “Water is life and must remain in public hands,” said RDI’s representative. “The PuP model and other proven alternatives offer Lagos a way forward without burdening residents with the risks of privatization.”