Lagos Water Corporation Defends Public-Private Partnership Initiative

Lagos water Corporation has debunked the allegations stated in the petition sent by the coalition of six (6) Civil Society groups – the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF), the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), Child Health Organisation, New Life Community Care Initiative (NELCCI) and the Ecumenical Water Networks Africa/Blue Communities Africa (EWNA), to the Lagos State House of Assembly urging it to halt the privatization plans being implemented by Lagos Water Corporation with following:
First, and foremost the proposed plan is not Privatisations – a transfer of a business, industry, or service from public to private ownership and control. Our plan is Public-Private Partnership – a collaboration between government and private enterprise, on a large infrastructure projects that the private inject funds (finance), plan or execute.
The rationale behind the PPP initiative is to introduce private sector efficiency and investment while the Government maintain regulatory oversight and fairness. This is to support the government in delivering Water service to over 22million Lagos State population. The State Government cannot solely undertaken all infrastructural projects in the State which are enormous and capital intensive. By involving private players, Lagos Water Corporation is aiming for scale, reliability, and sustainability.

The stakeholder engagement on the Pilot Public-Private Partnership session was all inclusive. Participants were not selected based on geography. Most are NGOs, WB, PPPs, operating across the state. It was a blanket invitation to ensure all voices were heard – random selection. All advocated for the PPP model for the 48 mini waterworks for improved water service delivery in the State and close water demand gap, through water access and capacity.

It is worthwhile to mention that Corporate Accountability & Public Participation was invited for the Stakeholder Engagement on the Pilot PPP for LWC, but turn down the invite. The letter reads in part, “CAPPA acknowledges receipt of your invitation to participate in the stakeholder engagement meeting, themed: “Attracting Investment for improved Water Supply in Lagos through Public-Private Partnership.” “We appreciate the gesture of inclusion in discussions on the future of water supply in Lagos.
“However, after careful consideration, CAPPA will not be participating in this meeting. “This decision is informed by fundamental procedural and principled concerns, vis–a-vis: a, Stakeholders engagement after project initiation is not genuine consultation; b, Meeting objective conflicts with CAPPA’s principle and; c, Exclusion of alternative models from the conversation”.
The Stakeholder engagement on the Pilot PPP for LWC is an ongoing effort to build trust and educate the public on the dynamics and expectations of a successful PPP model in public utilities, such as water service. Citing an example of Africa Countries where Public-Private Partnership (PPPs) in the water sector have been successful, are: Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Morocco, Egypt, Malawi, among others. The cheering news about successful PPP initiative in Lagos State water sector is the completion of Akilo Waterworks rehabilitation, jointly undertaken by Lagos State Government and WaterAid, set for commissioning by September, 2025.