The Ogun State Water Corporation (OGSWC) has pushed back against claims that the French Development Agency (AFD)-funded Ogun Urban Water Supply Project failed, insisting that the lingering disruption of pipe-borne water in Abeokuta is largely due to pipeline damage caused by road construction and urban renewal projects under the previous administration.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs and Water Resources, Hon. Damilola Otubanjo, the Corporation was responding to a BusinessDay report titled “Despite N13bn Investments, Pipe-Borne Water Still Luxury in Ogun Capital,” published on July 3, 2026.
While admitting that some residents still face irregular water supply, the Corporation faulted the report for what it described as an incomplete account of the AFD-backed intervention and its outcomes.
According to the statement, the Ogun Urban Water Supply Project — the only AFD-supported water infrastructure initiative in the state — was executed between March 2015 and December 2023 under a $33.75 million facility routed through the Federal Government, significantly upgrading water infrastructure across Abeokuta.
The Corporation detailed that the project delivered major improvements, including the rehabilitation and expansion of the Abeokuta Water Treatment Plant, construction of a 14.5-million-litre reservoir at Oke-Temidire, installation of transmission pipelines, expansion of distribution networks, and procurement of 6,000 water meters.
It added that the project boosted the treatment capacity of the Abeokuta Water Scheme from 25 million litres per day to 82 million litres per day, with plans to scale up to 162 million litres daily. More than 250 kilometres of pipelines were laid, alongside over 5,000 new customer connections across the state capital.
OGSWC further stated that the rehabilitation of barrage gates improved supply reliability by 85 percent, reduced leakages, and enhanced operational efficiency, while institutional reforms cut response time to customer complaints from five days to 24 hours.
The Corporation disclosed that it currently serves over 13,000 customers statewide, with more than 7,000 connected through the AFD-backed network in Abeokuta. It also noted that functional public water schemes are operational in Ago-Iwoye, Sagamu, and Ilaro.
However, it maintained that current supply disruptions in parts of Abeokuta North and South are primarily linked to pipelines damaged during extensive road works carried out by the past administration not a failure of the AFD project.
According to the statement, efforts are ongoing to reconnect affected communities as new transmission lines are installed, with areas such as Lakesin already restored through the Temidire reservoir network.
Highlighting recent interventions, the Corporation revealed that since January 2025, it has repaired over 800 pipeline leaks, installed more than 1,200 additional meters, and delivered over 3,600 new customer connections. It also revived dormant water schemes and introduced a WhatsApp-based complaint platform to improve service delivery.
The agency added that these measures have improved water quality compliance, reduced illegal connections, and boosted customer satisfaction.
Clarifying funding issues, the Corporation noted that the N450 million earmarked in the 2024 Federal Ministry of Water Resources budget for desilting the Arakanga Reservoir is a separate Federal Government project unrelated to the AFD initiative. It said the funds are yet to be released and the project has not commenced.
OGSWC reaffirmed that the AFD-funded Ogun Urban Water Supply Project was fully completed and delivered measurable improvements across production, transmission, and distribution, stressing that the current disruptions are temporary setbacks caused by infrastructure damage not evidence of project failure.
