The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on states participating in the National Urban Water Sector Reform Project to accelerate the completion of ongoing projects. This appeal was made by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, during the opening of the 2nd Semester 2026 National Urban Water Sector Reform Project Coordination and Review Workshop in Jos, Plateau State capital.
The project, initially scheduled to end in December 2026, has been extended to 2028 by the French Development Agency. This extension provides additional time for states to complete ongoing rehabilitation works and address implementation challenges. According to Utsev, the extension will enable participating states to complete their various ongoing rehabilitation projects under the programme and address implementation challenges to ensure the completion of projects aimed at improving urban water supply.
The two-day workshop, themed ‘Improving Water Supply and Sanitation Service Delivery,’ aims to provide an avenue for participating states to undertake an empirical review of project implementation. The workshop will enable states to deliberate on their experiences, identify challenges, and proffer solutions to achieve the objectives of the project. Utsev urged participating states and other stakeholders to utilise the extended period effectively to ensure that the objectives of the programme are achieved.
Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang emphasized his administration's commitment to water security as a fundamental pillar of modern governance and human development. He noted that his administration is committed to strengthening the institutions, infrastructure, and systems required to expand access to potable water across the state. The state government has injected N2.6 billion as counterpart funding for the project, demonstrating its determination to ensure that development interventions translate into tangible improvements in the lives of its citizens.
The Plateau State government is implementing interventions to improve water production, treatment, and distribution through the Jos Water Services Corporation and relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These interventions include the expansion of municipal reticulation networks, rehabilitation of the Yelwa Water Treatment Plant, and reticulation of the Mangu Regional Water Scheme. Additionally, the state is carrying out rehabilitation and construction of water infrastructure in several areas, including Bokkos, Langtang North, Langtang South, and Wase.
Governor Mutfwang urged participants to critically examine project performance, identify bottlenecks, and develop practical strategies for accelerating project delivery. He also appealed to the AFD to further simplify administrative processes and expedite the issuance of ‘No Objection’ approvals for deserving project components. The governor emphasized that timely approvals are critical to enabling states to meet implementation deadlines, minimise avoidable delays, and sustain the momentum of project delivery.
The AFD co-finances Nigeria’s National Urban Water Sector Reform Project alongside other development partners to improve urban drinking water quality, expand supply networks, and strengthen the financial independence of state water utilities. The workshop brought together policymakers, water sector professionals, engineers, project managers, development partners, and other stakeholders to review the implementation of the reform project.
Key points
- The Federal Government has urged participating states to hasten the completion of projects under the National Urban Water Sector Reform Project following its extension to 2028.
- The project aims to improve urban drinking water quality, expand supply networks, and strengthen the financial independence of state water utilities.
- Plateau State has injected N2.6 billion as counterpart funding for the project to improve water production, treatment, and distribution.
