European Union, Nigeria sign MOU for water and sanitation projects

The European Union (EU) and the government of Nigeria have signed a EUR94m ($122m) memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the implementation of water supply and sanitation sector reform programme (WSSSRP) in the country.

The WSSSRP projects will be implemented as part of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) phase 2.

The EDF aims at improving water and sanitation services in six Nigerian states, Anambra, Cross River, Jigawa, Kano, Osun and Yobe.

The six states benefitting from the funds also contributed EUR26m ($33.8m) for the project work.

The WSSSRP was developed to reduce poverty, contribute towards sustainable development and achieve water and sanitation related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The financing agreement for the WSSSRP was signed in 2012, and the EDF contribution to the project is EUR80m ($104.2m).

The WSSSRP phase 2 will run for a period of 84 months, of which 60 months will be for implementation of the project work and 24 months will be for the closing period.

Phase one of the WSSSRP was completed in 2011 at a total cost of EUR120m ($156.4m).

EU and UNICEF in February 2012 announced a five year agreement to jointly provide EUR20.6m ($28m) to improve rural water and sanitation project works, as well as increase accessibility to the basic services in five Niger Delta Region states, namely Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa.

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Image: The European Union funds will support six Nigerian states to improve water and sanitation services. Photo: Courtesy of Walter J. Pilsak.