A Major Step Toward Ensuring Equitable Access to Clean Water in Enugu City
The Enugu State Government and WANDE NEXUS, an Austrian firm, have formalized an agreement to implement the Sustainable Last Mile Connectivity and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project in Enugu. The signing, which took place on Monday at Government House, Enugu, was attended by the Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Thomas Schlesinger.
Under the agreement, WANDE NEXUS will inject $100 million as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to modernize water infrastructure, improve service delivery, and ensure equitable access to clean water for all households in Enugu City.
Governor Mbah Highlights the Importance of the Investment
Speaking during the event, Governor Peter Mbah described the signing as an example of the relationship that could exist between a sub-sovereign entity and a sovereign nation. He emphasized it as a major step toward resolving the last-mile connectivity challenges in Enugu City.
“This $100 million investment in our downstream water sector is not just a boost for Enugu State but also a significant FDI achievement for the country. It marks the culmination of eight months of negotiations, from MoU to Concession Agreement, and we expect immediate inflow of funds to commence connectivity and meter procurement.”
While Enugu had increased water production from an occasional 2 million litres to 120 million litres, the governor noted that the primary challenge lay in expanding the network and connecting tertiary pipelines to homes. With this agreement, he assured that this issue would soon be resolved.
He further explained that the state government would continue managing the upstream sector, while the new investment focuses on downstream improvements. As part of Enugu’s 2025 budget, additional funds are allocated to increase water production capacity from 120 million litres per day to 200 million litres per day, ensuring a holistic approach to water management.
In his remarks, Ambassador Thomas Schlesinger highlighted the strong backing of the Austrian Government for the investment. He commended Governor Mbah for fostering international relationships and demonstrating a commitment to improving lives in Enugu State.
“Governor Mbah is a great friend of Austria. His visits to Vienna and engagements with ministers, international organizations, and the business community have strengthened ties. This $100 million investment is a testament to his excellent leadership and vision,” he stated.
Ambassador Schlesinger expressed confidence in the capacity of Dr. Ugochukwu Ugbor, Chairman of WANDE NEXUS, to lead the transformation of Enugu’s downstream water sector. Dr. Ugbor, who spent over 20 years in Austria addressing critical infrastructure and sustainability challenges, aligns closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Earlier, Dr. Ugbor addressed the gathering, noting that the conducive investment environment, ease of doing business, and trustworthiness of the Mbah administration encouraged Austrian investors to participate in the venture. He pledged to deliver on expectations, create 500 direct jobs initially, build human capital in modern water management, and directly enhance health and economic opportunities in Enugu State.
