Civil society organisations across Africa, under the platform of the Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition, OWORAC have expressed dissatisfaction against what they described as corporate takeover of public water systems and demanded governments invest in publicly owned, climate-resilient water infrastructure.
The CSO made the expression at the kick-off of the 5th Africa Week of Action Against Water Privatisation, which began at the headquarters of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, in Lagos, intended to expose the dangers of privatisation and push for equitable, sustainable, and publicly managed water systems.
Addressing newsmen, Programme Officer, Water Campaign, CAPPA, Sefa Ikpa, said that water must remain a public good and a human right, not a commodity for profit.
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She warned that the increasing push by African governments to privatise water, often encouraged by international financial institutions, was deepening inequality and threatening access for low-income communities.
“Climate resilience will not be achieved through privatisation schemes that entrench exclusion. It will be built through strong, transparent, and publicly accountable systems that guarantee access to water for all.
“The climate crisis must not be turned into a pretext for water privatisation. Public water systems, when adequately financed and democratically managed, are the backbone of climate resilience.”
OWORAC cited examples from across Africa where privatisation schemes have worsened access and affordability.
The coalition noted that while governments frame such projects as climate adaptation measures, desalination is energy-intensive, relies heavily on fossil fuels, and generates brine waste that damages marine life. “This model privileges profit over people and pollutes the very ecosystems communities depend on,” the group said.
Story was adapted from Vanguard.
