Water Governance Outcomes of Natural Spring Development Project in Ibadan City, Nigeria

Abstract

Using governance indicators, this paper evaluates service outcomes of
communities’ initiatives in the development of natural springs that have been
in operation for the past one- and-a-half decades in Ibadan city, Nigeria. Natural
spring water projects as alternative water supply sources to forestall impending
water supply shortages in Ibadan were facilitated by the Sustainable Ibadan
Project (SIP). This study made use of document review, site visitation and
informal interviews. In addition, 280 households were sampled for water access
survey in four local communities that had benefitted from the natural spring
project. Research results show that the strategy has provided improved water
access in the beneficiary communities. Also, the spring water projects in the
case study communities have been sustained over time through cost recovery,
community-based management and service efficiency, thereby fulfilling
governance indices. The paper recommends the institutionalisation of the
adopted strategy for further replication of spring water development in
communities where such resources are available towards improved water
access in Nigeria.