By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, Monday, underscored the partnership with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, for the expansion of access to water and sanitation infrastructures.

Utsev stated this during a courtesy visit by the ICRC delegation led by the Director General, DG, Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

The Minister maintained that the Tinubu-led administration remains committed to provide critical infrastructure for the sector, therefore, the Federal Government’s commitment to sustained collaboration with ICRC to deepen Public Private Partnerships, PPPs, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, enhanced partnership with ICRC remains vital for the expansion of 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.

He said: “Our collaboration must be sustained to fast-track access to safe water, improved sanitation, and increased food production.”

He also stated that, “We are particularly keen on driving PPP models through the River Basin Development Authorities.”

Meanwhile, he (Utsev) informed his guests about the ongoing National Campaign to end Open Defecation, ODF, in the bid to ensure Nigeria has a clean and healthy environment as a major point to be used to attract investors and investments, therefore, it is imperative to improve on public health.

He also made it known that Mr President 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, the Director General, ICRC, Dr Jobson 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.

Ewalefoh therefore, emphasized the importance of PPPs in delivering impactful, transparent, and bankable initiatives, and cited major projects like the Dasin-Hausa Dam, Farin Ruwa, Manya, Bawarku, Grand Katsina-Ala, Kashimbila Airport, and the Gurara II Dam.

He also 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.

In his closing, the DG encouraged the Management of the River Basin Development Authorities to attend the PPP National Summit on June 14, 2025, in order to foster partnerships and mobilize investment in the water and sanitation sectors.