Environment
NEWSAN Urges Investment For Water And Sanitation services
The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) has called for stronger sustainability measures, institutional reforms and increased private sector participation to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in Nigeria.
The National Coordinator of NEWSAN, Mr Attah Benson, made the call during an advocacy visit to the Sustainable Urban-Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme Office on Friday in Abuja.
Benson said the engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration among stakeholders, reviewing implementation progress in SURWASH states and identifying areas requiring additional support.
According to him, the programme supports Nigeria’s commitment under the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership to ensure citizens have access to safe and affordable water and sanitation services.
He said the programme, which began in seven states, was already influencing actions and reforms at the federal level.
Benson commended SURWASH for supporting Katsina State’s attainment of open defecation-free (ODF) status, describing it as one of only two ODF states in the country.
He said advocacy visits to project states showed progress in implementation but also revealed gaps in behavioural change interventions, institutional capacity and coordination among implementing partners.
“These engagements provided opportunities to strengthen multi-sectoral coordination at the state level, improve collaboration among partners and enhance programme delivery,” he said.
Benson also called for intensified integrated WASH interventions to tackle neglected tropical diseases prevalent in many states, including SURWASH implementation states.
He urged states lagging behind in ODF attainment to strengthen implementation and sustainability efforts, stressing that more than half of the SDGs depended directly or indirectly on progress in the WASH sector.
The NEWSAN coordinator reiterated the need for stronger private sector participation in the sector, noting that efforts over the years had produced limited results.
“States continue to look to the national level for stronger direction in encouraging private sector investment in the sector,” he said.
Benson reaffirmed NEWSAN’s commitment to providing technical support to stakeholders nationwide despite financial constraints.
Responding, the National Programme Coordinator of SURWASH, Mr Abdulhamid Gwaram, described NEWSAN as a critical partner in implementing the programme across participating states.
Gwaram said SURWASH differed from previous interventions because it combined infrastructure development with measurable service delivery outcomes.
“The challenge is that you cannot test service delivery without infrastructure, and you also cannot justify infrastructure without a proper service delivery system.
“What makes SURWASH different is that it combines infrastructure with service delivery,” he said.
He said the programme was shifting its focus from infrastructure provision alone to sustainability, accountability and long-term functionality of WASH facilities.
“If a state constructs a N10 billion water treatment plant that does not provide reliable water access for the people, then it has failed in terms of service delivery.
“But if a simple hand pump repaired with N10,000 begins to serve 100 people in a community, then meaningful service has been restored,” he said.
Gwaram said the programme had introduced measures to encourage institutions with effective maintenance systems, staffing structures and operational accountability.
He called on state governments to strengthen operational support for water and sanitation agencies through improved logistics, mobility and field monitoring capacity.
On private sector participation, Gwaram said stronger regulation and institutional reforms were necessary to attract investment into the WASH sector.
“At the moment, the private sector will not be interested in operating in a weak environment without proper regulation.
“So, we must strengthen regulations and improve infrastructure to make the WASH sector attractive to investors,” he said.
He added that the programme had introduced a “creditworthiness programme” to improve the financial and managerial capacity of state water agencies and prepare them for long-term investment partnerships.
The Tide source reports that the 700 million dollar World Bank SURWASH programme, inaugurated on Feb. 14, 2022, has a six-yearN implementation period.
The programme is designed to strengthen sector policies and institutions to improve water and sanitation services in urban, small-town and rural communities.
SURWASH is currently being implemented in Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina and Plateau states, while Abia, Bauchi, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ogun, Jigawa and Taraba have recently been added to the programme.
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The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has commenced discussions with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to strengthen coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.
This is contained in a statement issued by the corporation.
The corporation said the engagement followed a courtesy and familiarisation visit led by its Managing Director, Mr Mukhtaar Tijani, to Julius Berger’s Ijora office.
It said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional relations and creating opportunities for deeper collaboration between both organisations.
The corporation stressed the importance of cordial relationships with neighbouring organisations and strategic stakeholders to promote future collaboration.
The meeting focused on road construction, water pipeline protection, water infrastructure development and sustainable water supply across Lagos Island and its environs.
Both organisations highlighted the need for early communication and technical coordination to prevent conflicts between road projects and existing water infrastructure.
Julius Berger Regional Commercial Manager, Region West, Mr Alexander Bauer, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable engineering solutions rather than short-term fixes.
Bauer stressed the importance of early stakeholder engagement and proper coordination before construction activities begin.
The meeting also examined access to project drawings and technical information required to improve coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.
Julius Berger explained that releasing detailed project drawings remained subject to approval from the appropriate client.
Both organisations therefore agreed on the need to engage the Lagos State Government to secure necessary approvals and strengthen technical collaboration.
The discussions also focused on accurate pipeline information and its importance in planning future water infrastructure and urban development projects.
The LWC delegation raised concerns about uncoordinated borehole drilling and its potential effects on groundwater resources and the ecosystem.
Participants noted that stronger public water supply systems could reduce dependence on individual boreholes and help protect underground water resources.
Construction & Maintenance
They also agreed on the importance of sharing information on construction activities, road conditions, project schedules and potential disruptions.
Security and community considerations were also discussed, with Julius Berger highlighting its engagement with relevant authorities on security infrastructure within the area.
The meeting ended with a shared commitment to open communication, stronger technical coordination and exploring further opportunities for collaboration.
The engagement is expected to strengthen synergies between water and road infrastructure planning and support resilient and sustainable infrastructure development across Lagos.
Some Climate Experts across Africa have called for investment in African youth to enhance future security.
They made the call on Wednesday during a webinar organised by Planet, People and Peace Foundation (PPPF), a non-governmental organisation, to observe 2026 International Youth Day (IYD).
According to them, there is a need to invest, listen and create opportunities for young African people.
The Tide source reports that the 2026 theme of the IYD is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’’.
Miss Bisi Kumuyi, the Secretary, Climate Beyond Border Caravan (CBBC), Nigeria, who canvassed for investment in youth, said the future of Africa would be determined by the opportunities the continent created for its young people today.
The CBBC, an initiative of PPPF, is a pan-African, youth-led campaign promoting climate action, cross-border cooperation and green economic transformation across the continent.
‘‘As Africa joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day on Aug. 12, 2026, we celebrate the energy, creativity, resilience and determination of young Africans who continue to shape the continent’s present and future.
‘‘This year’s theme reminds us that young people across Africa live in different social, economic and cultural circumstances.
‘‘They share common aspirations: access to quality education, decent employment, innovation, peace, inclusion, environmental sustainability and opportunities to fulfil their potential,’’ she said.
Also speaking, Mrs Nouran Farouk, an Egyptian Climate Activist, called for urgent investment in Africa’s youth.
According to her, Africa is the world’s youngest continent, and its youthful population represented one of its greatest assets.
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has unveiled a research report on impacts of climate change on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), calling for its implementation in the country.
The Acting Director CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, made the call at the public presentation of the report titled: “Disability-Inclusive Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Nigeria” on Wednesday in Lagos.
The event brought together government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities and other key stakeholder to foster dialogue, collaboration and stronger commitment to disability-inclusive climate change adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria.
Unumeri urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and policy commitment toward building climate resilience and ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response.
He noted that valuable insights and recommendations from stakeholders at a validation workshop in February had been incorporated into the report.
According to him, effective implementation of the recommendations requires sustained collaboration, strong policy commitment, adequate resource mobilisation and coordinated action across sectors.
“By working together, we can translate these findings into practical interventions that strengthen climate resilience and ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response,” he said.
In her remarks, the General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, urged the stakeholders to ensure that the report would be translated into practical interventions to enhance full inclusion of PWDs particularly in climate change policies.
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