OF PROFITABILITY AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Nigeria, Tim Kellow is confident about the prospects of the unique model that emphasizes local governance.
“There are so many boreholes all over rural Nigeria but about 50 per cent, if not more, of these are dysfunctional, contaminated or abandoned, so it is not a case of just lack of access to water from boreholes, but the lack of capacity to maintain and keep the boreholes in a functional state. By supporting local governance and ownership we tremendously increase the likelihood for completed projects to last for many years, ”he said.
Water Projects
An engineering professor at Tufts University, Daniele Lantagne corroborates this position as she avers that the key to successful water projects in rural areas is that they be locally-operated and can be maintained over the long-term. This approach, hopefully, would help to reduce the number of abandoned water projects around the country.
According to Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Sesan Sobowale, the Safe Water and Improved Sanitation and Hygiene programme was inspired by the recognition that about 63 million Nigerians do not have access to clean water.
“This is why Guinness Nigeria Plc and the Diageo Foundation teamed up with Concern Universal to provide clean water for rural communities in Cross River State, “Sobowale stated. He added that the partnership will help beneficiary communities have access to clean water and ultimately improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Sobowale also noted that the ten new water projects funded by Guinness Nigeria Plc and the Diageo Foundation will complement 25 other Water facilities Guinness Nigeria has sponsored under the aegis of its flagship ‘Water of Life’ Scheme.
“The health and socio-economic benefits of improved access to safe water and adequate sanitation provide the most compelling arguments to support partnerships that promote hygiene and sanitation. From a health perspective, one major benefit of improving access to safe water supply and proper sanitation is that it helps to reduce incidents of diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases while correspondingly reducing the number of deaths occasioned by them. Consequently, money that would have been spent to treat these diseases can be deployed into other profitable ventures by households.
“Also, the time saved by citing boreholes closer to user communities is another major benefit.
This in turn means that there would be increased productivity among the population, children no longer need to trek long distances in search of water thus improving school attendance rates. Parents also have more time to engage in economic activities that enhance their livelihood, “he added.
Thanks to the Guinness Nigeria–sponsored ‘Safe Water and Improved Sanitation and Hygiene’ Programme Margaret’s community now has a new lease of life. Margaret on her part has become more upbeat about the future she has ahead of her.
“Before we got clean water in our village, my life was very different. I was always sick and had horrible skin rashes because it was hard to get clean water. But now, I am looking forward to a healthier life and brighter future. Who knows, I might just become a health and hygiene teacher when I leave school”, Margaret said.