ABUJA, Nigeria ( VOICE OF NAIJA)- Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has praised the Lagos State Government for its ongoing efforts to advance the Adiyan II Water Treatment Plant, a critical infrastructure project that has been in development for 12 years.
In a statement issued over the weekend, CAPPA acknowledged the progress made on the project, highlighting that the plant is now 80% complete and remains on track for completion by 2027.
The organization emphasized the importance of continued state investment in public water infrastructure to ensure safe and affordable water access for Lagosians.
“The progress on Adiyan II underscores Lagos State’s commitment to improving public water systems, the state’s steady investment in this vital project is a clear example of how public funding can enhance water supply and ensure that all Lagosians have access to clean water.”
The Lagos State Government has also allocated an additional N20 billion in its 2025 fiscal budget to settle outstanding liabilities related to the project.
This allocation demonstrates the government’s continued dedication to the timely completion of Adiyan II.
However, CAPPA has raised concerns over the future of the project, urging the Lagos State Government to resist privatizing the facility once it is completed.
The organization warned that privatization of the water sector could lead to increased tariffs, restricted access, and corporate exploitation.
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“Water should not be a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder,” CAPPA stated.
“Privatizing the Adiyan II Water Treatment Plant would undermine the substantial investments already made by the state and harm Lagosians who depend on affordable and reliable access to water.”
CAPPA pointed to the failures of privatization schemes across Africa, where foreign-backed water projects have often led to inflated costs, contract disputes, and reduced access to clean water.
The organization also highlighted the recent withdrawal of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) from Lagos’ water sector as a cautionary example of the risks of relying on external financing for essential public services.
CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi noted that the withdrawal of USAID funding is a reminder of the dangers of depending on foreign aid for critical infrastructure projects.
“The Lagos State Government must use this moment to strengthen control over its water systems and resist the temptation to privatize,” he said.
Under a 2021 agreement, USAID had committed to rehabilitating several mini waterworks in Lagos, with private sector participation.
However, the agency’s abrupt exit has left the state searching for alternative sources of funding.
CAPPA expressed concern about the state’s engagement with other international institutions, such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and France’s Agence Française de Développement (AFD), warning that these organizations could impose privatization conditions on their loans.
“JICA and AFD have a history of attaching conditions that prioritize corporate profits over public welfare,If Lagos aligns itself with these entities, it risks making water unaffordable for its residents while losing control over its own infrastructure.” CAPPA stated
CAPPA urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to seize this opportunity to make a bold statement in favor of public water control.
“Lagos has a chance to lead the way in water justice for Africa by rejecting privatization and investing in the long-term sustainability of public water systems, the state can ensure that water remains a public good, accessible to all” the statement concluded.