Water privatization a key threat to universal access – WCN

The Water Citizens Network (WCN) has identified the privatization of water as a key threat to the realization of the human right to water as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Group observed that the privatization of the water sector, including; those supported by the World Bank, continued to threaten poor households and public health in Africa and will prevent the continent from achieving SDG 6, which advocates the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Network coordinator Leonard Shang-Quartey said in a statement that privatization had shifted the focus of water management to maximize profit for private investors, rather than ensuring access. universal to all, especially low-income people.

According to him, the value of water for solving environmental, social and cultural problems can be minimized by privatization.

“This fundamental disconnect has been exposed by community groups, union leaders and even UN experts,” he added.

The Water Citizens Network cited many examples of water privatizations on the continent gone awry in Ghana, for example, the World Bank-backed privatization was rejected wholeheartedly by civil society and labor groups, which has led to significant de-privatization in recent years.

In Nigeria, local activists continue to avoid a World Bank-promoted public-private partnership (PPP) model for water privatization.

The Cameroonian government recently withdrew from a failed privatization deal involving the water company, but could now consider embarking on another privatization deal under the guise of a lack of public funding for the water company, a added the coordinator.

Meanwhile, the threat of water privatization was also looming in virtually every corner of the continent, including; countries like Gabon, Kenya and Uganda.

He said: “The theme of commemorating World Water Day should motivate African governments to act. It is a reminder that the issue of governance is central to guaranteeing universal access to water.

“They must therefore reject the privatization of water in all its forms and give priority to sustained public financing in the sector to meet the water needs of the populations”.

World Water Day has been celebrated since 1993 to raise awareness of the billions of people living without access to safe drinking water and sanitation.