Lagosians weigh pros and cons of new water PPP arrangement

Some Lagos residents have expressed mixed reactions to the pilot Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model announced by the Lagos State Water Corporation (LWC) to expand access to potable water for over 22 million people.

In separate interviews with Voice of the People (VOP) on Sunday in Lagos, residents described the initiative as a step toward addressing the state’s water challenges but raised concerns about affordability, sustainability, and transparency.

The PPP model is part of the state government’s strategy to reduce dependence on boreholes, water tankers, and sachet water, which pose health and environmental risks.

For Ese Brume, a resident of Lekki, the initiative could increase access to clean water but might burden households financially. “Access to potable water is necessary, but if it comes at a cost, can Lagosians afford it? And will it be sustainable?” she asked.

Mrs. Florence Ogbu, an entrepreneur from Jakande Estate, Isolo, welcomed the move but urged the government not to worsen the economic hardship of residents already grappling with high utility bills.

In Okota, lawyer Henry Adeboye warned of regulatory lapses, citing cost escalation in the waste management sector. He called for a multi-stakeholder monitoring committee to ensure accountability.

While some residents such as Nkechi Abbe of Alagbado and Obiageli Ogbolu of FESTAC praised the initiative as “laudable” and potentially life-saving, others like Surulere trader Bright Okwuchukwu opposed it outright, warning it could pave the way for privatisation and higher bills.

Civil society groups also expressed reservations. Six CSOs, including the Resilience Development Initiative and the Environmental Defenders Network, petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly, describing the PPP plan as a veiled form of water privatisation.

However, WaterAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Ms. Evelyn Mere, argued that water must be treated as both a social and economic good. She noted that private investment could help sustain infrastructure, provided low-income households were protected under Lagos’ Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Policy (2024).

Responding to criticisms, the LWC Managing Director, Mr. Mukhtaar Tijani, clarified that the PPP scheme was not privatisation but a collaborative model designed to attract investment, technical expertise, and efficiency.

“The state government will retain regulatory oversight to ensure fairness. This is not a transfer of ownership to private hands, but a partnership to deliver sustainable water services to over 22 million Lagosians,” Tijani said.

He added that recent stakeholder engagements were open and inclusive, with NGOs, development partners, and private operators invited.