Nestle Raises Awareness on Water Management
As part of its commitment to proper water management, Nestle Plc has in commemoration of the 2017 World Water Day organised a one-day awareness campaign in its Agbara factory site to educate Nigerians on the importance of fresh water to nature, and the need for everyone to have access to good water that is safe and of good quality. The programme, tagged ‘Together for Water’ was said to be designed to be an enlightenment campaign on proper usage of water for healthy hydration, good hygiene and disease prevention. And that it is aimed at achieving greater awareness on proper water management.
In his remarks, the Nestle Waters Country Manager, Mr. Jason Lambe, said that the event was part of the company's cooperative approach with its Project Water Education for students, teachers, collaborators and other stakeholders towards creating a broader awareness about water conservation and healthy hydration. And reiterating Nestle's commitment to pursuing rigorous management standards and water-saving programmes throughout its operations, Lambe hinted that the company also embarks on a continuous monitoring of their performance, to ensure that the present day water challenge is met.
Speaking on the 2017 World Water Day theme, ;Wastewater’, Lambe said that Nestle places a lot of importance to wastewater management. Stating that its factories are equipped with wastewater treatment facilities that treat its wastewater and make it environmentally safe. Stressing that the company recognised that it could make a significant contribution to addressing the problem of wastewater management, not just in its facilities but also in its supply chains.
Stressing that majority of the activities are educationally-based, and developed by the Nestle Waters' long term partner, The Project WET Foundation, said, "We use interactive activities at Agbara factory each year to mark the World Water Day. As you can see today, children and teachers participate in ‘Together for Water’ festivals to increase awareness of the importance of fresh water. Nestle Waters efforts on World Water Day are part of Nestle's commitment to water stewardship to guide its actions, starting with continuously improving water efficiency in its operations and extending to raising awareness about water access and conservation amongst its stakeholders."
Enumerating some of the company's efforts at strengthening its commitment to support the human right to water he ,said, "we recently inaugurated a new community facility for Maderegi village, which will provide access to safe and clean drinking water for over 1,000 community members. While we acknowledge that we have made good progress over the years towards greater water stewardship here at Nestle, we know there is much more to do. We will continue to pursue rigorous management standards and water-saving programmes,” he said.
The Plant Manager, Mr. Alao Olawale, in his opening remarks said that Nestle believes that water is life. Adding that as human beings, "water is our right. We must have access to good water; it must be accessible, acceptable and must be of good quality. This is the reason we have brought everybody together today to educate us about water and how to use water."
Speaking also, the MD, StarBright Consulting, Mr. Emmanuel Olu-Ayeni told THISDAY that World Water Day is an important day that has been earmarked for the sensitisation of the whole world to the issue of fresh water resources. According to Olu-Ayeni, people erroneously believe that water is available everywhere, without realising that fresh water is actually not available everywhere.