The facilities form part of Nestlé’s wider Water Regeneration Project, which covers the Agbara catchment in Ogun State and the Abaji catchment in the Federal Capital Territory. The initiative is designed to improve water access, protect water quality, promote conservation and strengthen community participation in managing water resources.
Utsev emphasised that the long-term success of water projects depends on whether the facilities continue to function effectively after commissioning. He also highlighted the importance of governance and water stewardship, including training to help communities take responsibility for the maintenance and sustainable management of water infrastructure.
The minister’s position reflects the importance of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for all. Achieving that target requires not only new infrastructure but also effective maintenance, water quality monitoring and responsible management of water sources.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, described the initiative as an example of how cooperation between government, businesses, regulators and host communities can support sustainable access to safe drinking water.
He said the project aligned with Nigeria’s environmental priorities and demonstrated the potential of public-private partnerships to improve water security.
Olutayo Olatunji, Business Executive Officer for Nestlé Waters and Premium Beverages at Nestlé Nigeria, said the Agbara facilities represented an important milestone in the company’s broader water regeneration programme.
He explained that combining water treatment infrastructure with community governance and performance monitoring was intended to improve access, strengthen the resilience of local water systems and deliver lasting benefits.
The programme is built around four major areas: water access, water quality, water conservation and water governance. Beyond the boreholes and treatment facilities, the wider initiative includes rainwater harvesting, routine water quality monitoring and community water, sanitation and hygiene committees.
These committees are expected to help oversee the facilities, report faults, support preventive maintenance and encourage responsible water use. The approach is intended to strengthen local ownership and reduce the risk of infrastructure falling into disrepair.
Welcoming the development, the Alagbara of Agbara Kingdom, Oba Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade, expressed appreciation for the investment and urged residents to protect and maintain the facilities for the benefit of present and future generations.
He stressed that the community’s responsibility extended beyond receiving the infrastructure to ensuring it remained operational and useful.
Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead, also highlighted the need to combine access to water with public education on water safety.
She said the company’s National Water Quality Advocacy Campaign and National Water Quality Handbook, developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and OPS-WASH, were intended to extend water safety awareness to homes, schools, communities and institutions.
Although the commissioning of the eight facilities marks progress in expanding water access in Agbara, the long-term impact will depend on consistent maintenance, effective water quality checks and the ability of communities to sustain the infrastructure.
Nestlé has indicated that work on the wider programme is continuing, including the remaining components in Abaji. The company says its focus remains on measurable community benefits, responsible water management and the long-term sustainability of the project.
Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia
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