The report “Dry Taps: A damning verdict on the attack of water utilities in Nigeria” paints a grim picture of the country’s water infrastructure and access. Conducted by a coalition of civil society organizations and labor unions, the study reveals a systemic failure in water service provision across Nigeria, with major waterworks operating far below capacity and smaller facilities abandoned or vandalized. This dire situation, the report argues, is not accidental but rather a deliberate strategy to pave the way for privatization. The research, though limited to six states representing each geographical zone, offers a representative glimpse into the nationwide water crisis, particularly in urban areas. The study acknowledges the even more precarious situation in rural communities, where the majority of the population relies on unsafe sources like streams and rivers.
The report highlights several key findings. First, the erratic and insufficient functioning of major waterworks is a widespread problem, leaving many urban residents without reliable access to piped water. Second, mini and micro-waterworks, crucial for serving smaller communities, are often completely neglected, vandalized, or simply shut down. This leaves a significant gap in service provision and underscores the lack of investment in maintaining essential infrastructure. Third, the report identifies a demoralized workforce within the water utilities, struggling with delayed salaries and neglected workplaces, further exacerbating the crisis. This neglect signals a lack of government prioritization of the water sector and contributes to the overall deterioration of services.
The timing of the report’s release, ahead of World Water Day 2025, is significant. It serves as a stark reminder of the global water crisis and underscores the urgent need for action in Nigeria. The chosen theme for World Water Day, “Glacier Preservation,” highlights the interconnectedness of water resources and the far-reaching consequences of mismanagement. While glaciers may seem geographically distant, their melting contributes to rising sea levels and affects water availability worldwide, emphasizing the need for a global perspective on water resource management. The report’s findings connect this global concern to the local realities in Nigeria, demonstrating the tangible impacts of inadequate water infrastructure and governance on people’s lives.
The coalition behind the “Dry Taps” report accuses the government of deliberately undermining the water sector to justify privatization. They argue that the chronic underfunding and neglect of water utilities are part of a calculated plan to create a crisis and then present privatization as the solution. This accusation raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to ensuring its citizens’ right to water and suggests a prioritization of profit over public welfare. The report’s authors believe that privatization will not address the root causes of the crisis, particularly the lack of access in rural communities often overlooked by private companies seeking profitability.
Representatives from various organizations involved in the study voiced their concerns and observations. The General Secretary of AUPCTRE emphasized the deliberate nature of the water shortages, while the Executive Director of RDI highlighted the misallocation of funds intended for the water sector. Other contributors pointed out the deceptive nature of government rhetoric about water access and the demoralizing impact of the situation on water utility staff. The collective message is one of deep concern about the government’s handling of the water crisis and a call for immediate action to address the systemic failures. The consistent neglect across multiple states, as observed by the research team, strengthens their argument against mere mismanagement and supports their claim of a deliberate strategy of neglect.
The report concludes with a set of recommendations aimed at addressing the water crisis and preventing further deterioration. These include declaring a state of emergency in the water sector, promoting public participation in water resource planning, rejecting privatization and commodification of water, upholding the human right to water, investigating misappropriated funds, and strengthening public accountability in water management. These recommendations reflect a commitment to public ownership and management of water resources and emphasize the need for transparency and community involvement in finding sustainable solutions. The call for a state of emergency underscores the severity of the crisis and the need for immediate and comprehensive action.
