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| The Ogun State Water Corporation (OGSWC) |
The clarification was made by the Ogun State Water Corporation (OGSWC), which said reports suggesting that the French Development Agency (AFD)-supported Ogun Urban Water Supply Project had failed were misleading and did not reflect the true situation.
According to the corporation, the water scheme successfully achieved its core objectives, including the rehabilitation of water treatment facilities, installation of modern equipment, and expansion of water infrastructure designed to improve access to clean and safe drinking water across Abeokuta and surrounding communities.
The agency explained that the current water shortages began after several critical transmission pipelines were damaged during extensive road construction and urban renewal projects undertaken by the previous administration. These damaged pipelines, it noted, interrupted the movement of treated water from production facilities to homes, businesses and public institutions.
The corporation stressed that the water treatment plants remain functional and continue to produce potable water. However, it said the damaged distribution network has made it difficult for water to reach many consumers as intended.
OGSWC further revealed that engineers are actively working to repair and reconnect the affected pipelines while carrying out additional upgrades to strengthen the state's water distribution system. It expressed confidence that residents would experience significant improvements once the rehabilitation work is completed.
The government also maintained that the AFD-funded project should not be judged based on the temporary distribution challenges, arguing that the investment has already modernised key aspects of Ogun State's water infrastructure and positioned the state for more reliable water service in the future.
Despite the government's assurances, many residents of Abeokuta have continued to face prolonged water shortages, forcing households and businesses to rely on boreholes, water vendors and other alternative sources to meet their daily needs.
The Ogun State Water Corporation appealed to residents for patience, assuring them that restoring stable water supply remains one of the government's top priorities. It added that ongoing repairs and infrastructure improvements are expected to address the current challenges and prevent similar disruptions in the future.
Reaffirming its position, the state government concluded that the water crisis in Abeokuta should not be attributed to the failure of the urban water supply project. Instead, it maintained that the problem is largely the result of damaged transmission pipelines caused by previous road construction works, with efforts already in progress to restore normal water distribution across the city.