by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Plateau State Government says as part of its commitment to the success of the Plateau State Urban Water Supply Project, the government has so far injected over ₦2.6 billion (Two Billion, Six Hundred Million Naira) in counterpart funding.
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang disclosed this, while declaring open of a 2 days’ Project Coordination and Review Workshop organized by Plateau State Government, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Jos Water Services Corporation, National Urban Water sector Reform Project French Development Agency (AFD-Funded Projects) held at Crispan Hotel Jos, on Monday.
Represented by his Deputy, Hon. Mrs Josephine Piyo, the governor said, the workshop provides an important platform where strategic policy, technical expertise and practical implementation can converge to address the challenges confronting Nigeria’s urban water sector.
He stressed that: “Water is far more than a public utility; it is the lifeblood of economic productivity, public health, human dignity and social stability.
“As our cities continue to grow rapidly, the pressure on existing water infrastructure and municipal supply networks is becoming increasingly intense. This reality demands that we move beyond conventional approaches and embrace reforms that are strategic, sustainable, accountable and responsive to the realities of our growing urban populations,” he stated.
“As leaders and public administrators, our responsibility is not simply to provide infrastructure, but to build systems that can deliver efficiently, consistently and sustainably over the long term,” he urged.
He said his administration considers water security a fundamental pillar of modern governance and human development, adding, “We are, therefore, committed to strengthening the institutions, infrastructure and systems required to expand access to potable water across the State.”
The governor emphasized that, “Through the Jos Water Services Corporation, in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, Government have continued to pursue critical interventions aimed at improving water production, treatment and distribution.
“These interventions include the expansion of municipal reticulation networks across the state, the rehabilitation of the Yelwa Water Treatment Plant; the reticulation of the Mangu Regional Water Scheme; and the rehabilitation and construction of water infrastructure in Bokkos, Langtang North, Langtang South and Wase,” he explained.
The governor further emphasized that Government is also undertaking the rehabilitation of two major water treatment facilities – the Yakubu Gowon Water Treatment Plant and the Laminga Water Treatment Plant, with support from the AFD.
He reiterated that, “These interventions reflect their firm conviction that expanding access to potable water requires not only substantial capital investment, but also strong institutions, sound management, effective regulation and sustained administrative discipline.
“This significant commitment demonstrates our determination to ensure that development interventions translate into tangible improvements in the lives of our citizens.
“This quarterly review is much more than a routine administrative exercise; it is an important platform for accountability, peer learning, technical coordination, problem-solving, and strategic realignment.
“Over the next two days, you will have the opportunity to assess the progress of the project, examine implementation challenges, identify bottlenecks, share experiences and develop practical solutions that will accelerate delivery,” he stated.
The governor urged all State Project Implementation Units and stakeholders represented at the event to engage in the deliberations with candour, openness and a strong commitment to results.
He also urged them to critically examine performance indicators, identify areas requiring urgent intervention, address operational and administrative delays, and develop realistic strategies for ensuring that every naira and every dollar committed to the water sector delivers maximum value to the people.
Governor Mutfwang noted that, “The success of any reform programme is ultimately measured not by the number of meetings held or reports produced, but by the impact it makes on the lives of citizens.”
He appreciated the AFD for its sustained technical and financial support, which has continued to contribute significantly to sector-wide reforms and infrastructure development across participating States.
The governor further appealed to AFD to consider further simplifying administrative processes and expediting the issuance of “No Objection” approvals for deserving project components, saying, “Timely approvals are critical to enabling States to meet implementation deadlines, minimise avoidable delays and sustain the momentum of project delivery.”
He charged them to approach the deliberations not merely as an obligation, but as an opportunity to shape the future of urban water supply in Nigeria, and reiterated that the challenge of urban water supply requires collective responsibility, sustained investment, strong institutions and unwavering political commitment.
The representative of the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Kasim Mohammed Nafi’u, said the workshop is very important as it allows the four states to assess progress, deliberate on challenges and chart way forward to meet project development objectives.
According to him, Plateau State Government has committed N2.6 billion as counterpart fund, but more funds would be needed for taxes and compensations to avoid leaving debts after completion.
“After the ‘Tea Break,’ we will commence the technical aspect where all four states will make presentations. We tell ourselves the plain truth. There is no politics in it. We have technical experts and administrative people here. Everybody is here,” Nafi’u said.
On a note of appreciation, the Plateau State Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Hon. Bashir Lawandi Dati, thanked Governor Mutfwang for approving the hosting of the workshop.
The Commissioner disclosed that the state is implementing AFD-funded projects, including rehabilitation of Yakubu Gowon and Lamingo Treatment Plants and reticulation within the Greater Jos Master Plan.
“This workshop brings all implementing states together to review performance under the AFD project. It shows His Excellency’s commitment to ensuring Plateau people have access to clean and safe water,” Dati said.
He further state that the project started about four years ago and was supposed to terminate in December, 2026, but has now been extended by two years – to 2028.
Hon. Dati pointed out that the “State Government, through the ministry of water resources, paid N610m in 2014 and, just of recent in 2026, we paid N2 billion, and we are hoping very soon we will add more by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, who is committed to providing sustainable good drinking water to the people of Plateau State.”
He said the reticulation project will last for 18 months, pointing out that, “Without this extension, we would have had serious issues, but now we will be able to finish completely. After this project, water scarcity in Plateau will be history. Federal Government says, N2.6 billion Counterpart Fund Committed.