NGO, Coca-Cola partners to provide clean water to 14,000 people in Borno

NGO, Coca-Cola partners to provide clean water to 14,000 people in Borno

By: Ladi Jossy

A non-governmental organisation, WaterAid Nigeria in collaboration with The Coca-Cola Foundation(TCCF) has reiterated its commitment to improving clean and accessible water to not fewer than 14,000 people across four communities in the Borno State.

Our Correspondent gather that according to the 2021 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping Survey ( WASH NORMS), 76% of people living in Borno State drink contaminated water, while 93% lack access to basic hygiene services. Adding that only 14% of schools and 12% of healthcare centres in the state have basic water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.

Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere started this during the launching of the project titled “Strengthening Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Service Delivery in Borno State,(S-WASH) held in Maiduguri yesterday.

She maintained that the S-WASH project plans to construct and rehabilitate four water schemes and it would support economic empowerment activities for women and youth.

” The interventions aim to reach at least 14,000 people directly in Pompomari, Jiddari Polo, Shehu and Gomanri communities in Borno State, with improved water supply services and hygiene promotion.

“Water, sanitation, and hygiene services are critical for upholding human dignity and well-being. These services are critical to lifting people out of poverty, unlocking their potential, and supporting them to realise their full rights. We must ensure they are available to everyone, everywhere and no one is left behind,” she disclosed.

In her remarks, President of the Coca-Cola Foundation, Saadia Madsbjerb represented by the Northern Regional Manager Corporate Services, Aminu Mohammed said due to protracted insurgency and humanitarian crisis in Borno State has put a strain on the state resources and capacity to deliver basic service.

Also Read: Reps begin investigation into Kuje Correctional Centre…

“Water security is a top priority at the Coca-Cola Foundation. We are therefore committed to supporting as many initiatively as we can that will reduce water challenges in Africa as well as enhance water resilience and improve healthy watersheds in the community.

“We are proud of the collaboration we have (GETE) and WaterAid, who bring their expertise to bear and through who we are to positively impact these 14,000 beneficiaries in Borno, Nigeria,” Aminu said.

The State Commissioner of Water Resources, Tijjani Alkali Goni said the state government would continue to partner with NGOs in other to complement the efforts of the state government.

Tijjani expressed his appreciation to the TCCF for their generosity to fund the project, while assuring that the ministry of water resources under his watch would provide the necessary assistance to ensure the project achieves its goals. 

The representatives of the Gomanri community Abubakar Lawan Shuwa thanked WaterAid and TCCF for their gestures, saying the intervention is timely.

NGO, Coca-Cola partners to provide clean water to 14,000 people in Borno