French Agency Canvasses Stronger Governance, Sustainable Water Utilities

The French Development Agency (AFD) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to potable water across Nigeria, stressing that stronger governance and institutional reforms are essential for the long-term sustainability of the sector.

AFD country director Jacky Amprou made the call during a peer-learning workshop in Abuja that brought together representatives from 25 states to discuss the challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s water sector.

Amprou hinted that the agency currently manages an investment portfolio worth €300 million dedicated to expanding water infrastructure and improving service delivery in several states.

The intervention covers four key states, Kano State, Enugu State, Plateau State, and Ondo State, with funding focused on the development of critical water infrastructure and the provision of technical support to state water utilities.

According to him, the broad participation of states at the workshop reflects a growing recognition of the urgent need to address persistent gaps in access to clean and safe water across the country.

“AFD has been deeply involved in supporting access to water in several states. We are financing many investments, but we also want to engage with the different states on the governance of the water sector. That is a major takeaway from these two days,” Amprou said.

He noted that experiences and success stories from other countries shared during the workshop could serve as useful models for Nigerian states seeking to improve water service delivery and utility management.

As the country approaches another political cycle, Amprou urged governments at all levels to focus on delivering ongoing projects and ensuring visible results for citizens.

“The first priority is the successful delivery of the projects currently being implemented. We want to see infrastructure built and functioning on the ground.

“Second, we must develop a shared vision with the states on the long-term governance of the water sector, ensuring that water boards become financially sustainable and capable of maintaining and managing infrastructure effectively,” he stated.

The workshop also exposed significant disparities in water infrastructure and service coverage across the country, as state officials highlighted challenges affecting their respective jurisdictions.

The permanent secretary of the Nasarawa State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Madawa Absolom, described the situation in Lafia as critical, revealing that urban water supply coverage in the state capital stands at only two per cent.

He said the low coverage has forced many residents to rely heavily on private boreholes, a situation he described as unsustainable.

Absolom further disclosed that the state faces a serious sanitation challenge, with a 46 per cent deficit in Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, one of the highest in the country, posing additional risks to water quality and public health.

Similarly, the director of Operations at the Kaduna State Water Corporation, Aminu Mu’azu, said urban water coverage in Kaduna State is approximately 60 per cent.

However, he noted that progress is often hampered by poor coordination among government agencies.

According to Mu’azu, contractors handling road construction projects frequently damage or expose critical water pipelines and electrical infrastructure, disrupting water supply and increasing maintenance costs.

To address such challenges and strengthen the viability of state-owned water utilities, AFD is advocating the adoption of cost-recovery mechanisms, improved asset management practices, and governance reforms to make water boards financially self-sustaining while ensuring reliable service delivery to residents.