World Bank Denies Plot To Privatise Water With Lagos State Government

Lagos State Water corporation staff and civil society activists have got a sigh of relief as World Bank released statement to counter its involvement in negotiation with Lagos State Govt to privatize the water supply in in the state.

 

According to reports, before the bank’s decision, activists and civil servants had mounted pressure on the water company against such a move, which they said would raise the cost of having access to water beyond the reach of ordinary Lagosians. The Corporation’s staff, who stood to lose their jobs, went a step further to threaten to do “everything to frustrate” the move.

In a press statement released by the World Bank last month, announcing a breakdown in talks between its International Finance Corporation and the Lagos Water Corporation. Statement read in part...

“Contrary to recent reports, IFC has not signed any agreement with the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC). LWC expressed interest in working with IFC and we had a number of discussions on how we might be able to assist the company. In the end, IFC decided not to advise LWC. We continue to support the government and people of Nigeria in achieving their development goals.”