The Greater Makurdi Water Works and Water Distribution Challenges in Makurdi Metropolis

Access to safe and reliable water remains a major challenge in many rapidly urbanizing cities in sub-Saharan Africa despite substantial investments in water infrastructure. This study examines the Greater Makurdi Water Works Project and the persistent challenges of water distribution in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. Drawing on archival records, oral interviews with key stakeholders in the water sector, field observations, and relevant secondary literature, the study investigates the historical evolution of public water supply and evaluates why water scarcity continues despite the commissioning of the Greater Makurdi Water Works in 2012. The findings reveal that while successive governments expanded water distribution networks, investments in production capacity, reticulation infrastructure, maintenance, and institutional reforms were often inadequate. The study further demonstrates that aging pipelines, weak revenue collection mechanisms, poor asset management, governance inefficiencies, and inadequate funding significantly constrained the operational performance of the water utility. These challenges have resulted in intermittent water supply, increased dependence on private boreholes and water vendors, and growing inequalities in access to potable water. Situating the Makurdi experience within contemporary debates on urban water governance and public utility management, the paper argues that infrastructure expansion alone cannot guarantee improved service delivery without corresponding institutional reforms, financial sustainability, and accountability mechanisms. The study recommends integrated infrastructure rehabilitation, modernization of billing and monitoring systems, enhanced public-private collaboration, and governance reforms aimed at improving efficiency and equitable access to potable water in Makurdi metropolis.

Urban water governance, public utility management, Greater Makurdi Water Works, potable water supply, water distribution, Makurdi metropolis, Nigeria

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