The Enugu State Government signed a $100 million agreement with Austrian firm WANDE NEXUS to implement the “Sustainable Last Mile Connectivity and Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project”.
The signing ceremony, held at the Government House in Enugu on Monday, was attended by Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Thomas Schlesinger.
The project aims to modernize the state’s water infrastructure through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with a focus on expanding access to clean water across Enugu City.
Governor Peter Mbah hailed the agreement as a milestone in advancing Enugu’s water sector and strengthening international partnerships.
“We now have an investment of $100 million to decisively address the last-mile connection in our water distribution system,” Mbah said.
“This is a significant FDI, not just for our state but for the entire country, and it demonstrates the success of the Federal Government’s economic reforms and our efforts to position Enugu as a top investment destination,” Mbah continued.
Mbah highlighted his administration’s achievements in water production, noting an increase from an occasional two million litres to 120 million litres daily.
However, he acknowledged that expanding the network and connecting tertiary pipelines to homes remains a challenge.
“With this agreement, the issue of water connectivity will soon be a thing of the past,” he assured.
Austrian Ambassador Thomas Schlesinger praised the partnership and commended Governor Mbah’s vision for improving water access in Enugu.
“This investment, backed strongly by the Austrian Government, reflects Governor Mbah’s commitment to equitable access to clean water and his dedication to fostering international partnerships,” Schlesinger said.
He also recognized Mbah’s proactive engagement with Austrian officials and businesses, noting that the governor had visited Vienna twice to strengthen bilateral relations.
Dr. Ugochukwu Ugbor, Chairman of WANDE NEXUS Group, expressed confidence in the Mbah administration’s commitment to fostering a conducive investment environment.
“Our decision to invest is based on the rapidly improving ease of doing business and the government’s trustworthiness,” Ugbor said.
“We are committed to delivering results, creating 500 direct jobs initially, and building human capital in modern water management while enhancing health and economic opportunities in the state,” he continued.
The $100 million project represents a significant step in addressing water challenges in Enugu and demonstrates the state’s growing appeal as an investment destination.
(NAN)
