By Anthony Ochela, Abuja
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to deepen Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, the Director Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, quoted the Minister as making the assertion during a courtesy visit by the Director General of ICRC, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, and his team to the Minister at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
Prof. Utsev emphasized that enhanced partnership with ICRC is vital for expanding access to water and sanitation infrastructure across Nigeria, noting that PPPs remain a critical strategy in mobilizing private sector participation and investments into key sectors.
“Our collaboration must be sustained to fast-track access to safe water, improved sanitation, and increased food production. We are particularly keen on driving PPP models through the River Basin Development Authorities,” he said.
The Minister highlighted the ongoing National Campaign to end Open Defecation (ODF), noting that a clean and healthy environment is essential to attracting investment and improving public health.
He also disclosed that President Tinubu has mandated the Ministry to assess the status and integrity of all dams across the country to determine their suitability for water supply, irrigation, flood control, and hydropower generation.
According to him, integrity tests will ensure that the dams significantly boosts their economic value and support national development goals.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr. Ewalefoh, commended the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation for its leadership in advancing key infrastructure projects aligned with national and global goals, including SDG 6.
He emphasized the importance of PPPs in delivering impactful, transparent, and bankable initiatives, citing major projects like the Dasin-Hausa Dam, Farin Ruwa, Manya, Bawarku, Grand Katsina-Ala, Kashimbila Airport, and the Gurara II Dam.
He proposed deeper collaboration in expanding rural water infrastructure, rehabilitating dams, enhancing sanitation facilities, and scaling hydropower.
He also recommended innovative PPP models such as a National Sanitation Framework, desalination projects, bulk water supply schemes, and smart water utilities under PPP arrangements.
Dr. Ewalefoh concluded by encouraging the Management of the River Basin Development Authorities to attend the PPP National Summit on June 14, 2025, to foster partnerships and mobilize investment in the water and sanitation sectors.
