A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has reiterated its call for the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) to adopt a Public-Public Partnership (PuP) model rather than a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in resolving the state’s persistent water crisis.
The coalition, which includes Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Citizens Free Service Forum, Environmental Defenders Network, Child Health Organisation, Ecumenical Water Network Africa/Blue Communities Africa (EWNA/BCA), and New Life Community Care Initiative, made this known in a statement signed by Mr. Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of RDI, on Monday in Abuja.
Jakpor explained that the call followed an invitation from the LWC management to discuss its planned pilot PPP initiative. He noted that the coalition had earlier, on Sept. 9, met with the Lagos State House of Assembly, where it opposed the PPP model and highlighted concerns over inadequate stakeholder consultation.
According to him, the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment (Parastatals), Shabi Adekola, also acknowledged the lack of sufficient consultation and stressed the need for broader engagement.
“In light of this, we urged the LWC to convene an inclusive stakeholder forum where all options, including the Public-Public Partnership model, can be openly discussed to ensure democratic control of water,” Jakpor said.
He added that the coalition had expected an open-ended dialogue but was instead offered a closed meeting, which it declined. The group called for an expanded, people-centered consultation involving civil society and other stakeholders in Lagos.
The coalition further reminded the state government that it had previously petitioned against LWC’s move to privatise water services, warning that similar PPP arrangements had failed in the United Kingdom and other countries.
It urged the Lagos government to embrace proven public sector solutions that prioritize access, equity, and sustainability over profit-driven models.
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