The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and water advocacy groups have expressed concern over the absence of clear water access plans in political parties’ manifestos ahead of the 2027 elections.
The groups also challenged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to explain why Nigerians were yet to feel the impact of its 2023 potable water supply promise.
The APC’s Renewed Hope Manifesto pledged that, by the end of the decade, no Nigerian would live more than five minutes away from a clean water source.
The groups made their position known at a meeting with AUPCTRE’s newly elected national executives, led by its National President, Comrade Eugene Manji, in Abuja.
Other participating organisations included the Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF), Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) Africa and Child Health Organisation (CHO).
Others were the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) and New Life Community Care Initiative (NELCCI).
The groups said available global indicators put access to clean water in Nigeria at about 29.90 per cent.
They attributed the country’s poor performance partly to institutional fragmentation between federal and state governments.
The groups said their concerns were documented in a 2025 report titled Dry Taps: A Damning Verdict on the State of Water Utilities in Nigeria.
The report examined water utilities in Oyo, Lagos, Kogi, Enugu, Edo and Kano states.
It highlighted government neglect and the inability of many utilities to operate at optimal capacity.
According to the groups, the situation has forced many Nigerians to depend on expensive and potentially unsafe alternative water sources.
In a statement issued in Abuja, they expressed concern that political parties seeking election or re-election in 2027 had largely ignored water access.
AUPCTRE National President, Manji, said access to potable water appeared not to be a priority for the present government.
He also criticised politicians seeking political offices in the next administration for failing to address the challenge.
“Millions of Nigerians are forced to either source water from unwholesome sources or, for those who can afford it, pay through their noses for commodified water,” he said.
Manji added that the situation exposed Nigerians to waterborne diseases and potentially harmful chemicals.
Similarly, CFSF Executive Director, Comrade Sani Baba, said political parties had yet to disclose meaningful strategies for addressing the country’s water challenges.
“Nigerians must not take any party that has no clear agenda to address the water crisis seriously,” he said.
Baba urged political parties to make plans for guaranteeing universal access to water a priority.
Also speaking, RDI Executive Director, Philip Jakpor, said water was fundamental to food security, energy, healthcare and climate resilience.
He described the absence of water access commitments in political party manifestos as unacceptable.
Jakpor said water should be recognised as a driver of economic opportunities.
The groups resolved to demand clear commitments from political parties on addressing the country’s water challenges.
They also reiterated their opposition to private-sector takeover of state-owned water corporations.
They specifically opposed the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model being promoted by the Lagos State Government.
As an alternative, they recommended the Public-Public Partnership (PuP) model.
The model involves collaboration between public and non-profit organisations to provide services, develop infrastructure and share technical expertise.
The groups further called for improved workers’ welfare, decent working conditions and fair wages.
They said such measures would help workers cope with prevailing economic challenges.
