SCALING UP WATER SECTOR REFORM: STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC PURPOSES

Abstract

The provision of effective, efficient and sustainable water services to households, institutions, businesses and industries is necessary to support economic development. This capacity to provide services effectively and efficiently is a critical constraint in many areas in Nigeria. There is an urgent need for country-wide water sector reform, if we must meet the MDGs for the sector. In particular, sustainable improvement is needed in water resources management to services in unserved,and low-income areas of the country. The paper attributed the entire

crisis in the country's water sector to that of governance with little or nothing to do with engineering and technology. The paper noted that the role of the supervisory ministries of water resources should be that of the custodian of the water resource and overall leader of the water sector; which should not itself be involved in operating any water services infrastructure.

Finally, the paper suggests that government should playa leading role in promoting institutional reform to ensure that capacity is used optimally and that efficient and sustainable water service providers are established. This process of institutional reform will promote the regional integration of water services where appropriate. Water boards will be transformed as part of this process. The role of the private sector in the provision of water services is also welcomed.