VICTORIA ISLAND — Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev has called for a robust Public Private Partnership investment in the water sector to achieve sustainable and equitable access to water and sanitation services for Nigerians.
Professor Utsev who made the call today at the 5th Lagos State International Water Conference at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos particularly urged state Governors, development partners and the private sector to prioritise more investment in the sector stressing that the Federal Government will continue to support the states through interventions to achieve access to clean and safe water and improve sanitation for all.
He pointed out that Lagos being the most populous and economically vibrant city in the country was still grappling with significant challenges in providing adequate water and sanitation services for its teaming population stressing that such public private partnership will ensure a robust collaboration between government agencies and private sector to invest more resources in the water sector.
Professor Utsev also advocated community based organisations that would mobilise resources and implement low-cost, decentralised solutions tailored to local needs especially in areas of operation and maintenance .
Highlighting the importance of international development assistance, Professor Utsev said such partnership was also key in financing water and sanitation projects in Nigeria noting that the multilateral organisations, bilateral donors and development agencies were also important in providing grants, loans and technical assistance to support water infrastructure development.
On the issue of Cholera outbreak in the country the Water Resources and Sanitation Minister said his ministry has taken proactive steps to prevent further spread of the water borne disease in the country including reactivation of the ministry’s laboratories across the six geopolitical zones of the country, massive sensitization of citizens on the need to improve on personal hygiene, ensure that every water meant for use is properly treated or boiled while foods and vegetables are also cooked before consumption.