The Enugu State Government and WANDE NEXUS, an Austrian company, have formalized a $100 million Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) deal to enhance water infrastructure in Enugu City.
The agreement, signed on Monday at the Government House in Enugu, aims to implement the Sustainable Last Mile Connectivity and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project, which will improve water service delivery and ensure equitable access to clean water for all households.
Governor Peter Mbah, speaking at the ceremony in the presence of Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Thomas Schlesinger, described the partnership as an excellent example of collaboration between sub-national and national governments.
He emphasized that the investment will address critical challenges in Enugu’s water system, particularly the downstream connections, which will now be connected to homes through the expansion of the water network.
Governor Mbah highlighted that the $100 million investment will directly improve the downstream sector of Enugu’s water supply and create lasting solutions to the problem of water access in the city.
“We have made significant strides in increasing water production, from just 2 million liters to 120 million liters per day. With this partnership, we aim to expand production capacity to 200 million liters per day,” he added.
He further explained that while the state government would continue to oversee the upstream sector, this new investment would focus on modernizing the network, including the procurement of meters and connectivity to households.
Mbah expressed confidence that the FDI would help bridge the gap in water access and improve the city’s infrastructure.
Ambassador Schlesinger commended the Governor for his commitment to transforming Enugu’s water sector and fostering international relations that attracted this major investment.
He also praised the leadership of Governor Mbah and the strong ties with Austria, noting that the $100 million investment was a testament to Mbah’s vision for Enugu’s future.
Dr. Ugochukwu Ugbor, Chairman of WANDE NEXUS, also expressed confidence in the project, citing the conducive investment environment in Enugu and the state’s improving ease of doing business.
He committed to delivering the project as planned, creating 500 direct jobs, and improving the health and economic prospects of the state.
Ugbor’s leadership, backed by over 20 years of experience in international organizations, was praised for his role in the project.
