NESTLE Nigeria Ensuring Availability Of Sustainable Clean Water For Nigerians
School pupils making use of water provided by Nestle Nigeria at one of the schools in Abuja
By EDET UDOH
The sustainability of shared water resources depends on all water users working together locally to address the shared water challenges, be it scarcity, quality, or access. Water is vital for survival. It is the lifeblood of human existence and that of the economy, hence, proper management of this resource is crucial.
It is on this basis that a global action was taken in March 1993 birthing a special day for the celebration of World Water Day focusing on the importance of freshwater. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness for the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. Nestle Nigeria participated in this programme every year.
Indeed groundwater constitutes an important source of water for domestic supply and agriculture in Nigeria. Domestic consumption and industrial needs place a huge burden on this valuable yet limited resource. Access to clean water and improved sanitation facilities is a daily challenge for many Nigerians, as 60 million Nigerians, or 33 percent of the population, do not have access to clean water. This contributes to a high prevalence of waterborne diseases and impacts education, health, and the national economy.
Findings showed that an estimated 100 million Nigerians still lack basic sanitation facilities and 63 million do not have access to improved sources of drinking water, underscoring the need for consistent multi-stakeholder action to increase access.
In order to ensure the availability of water and conserve same for future generations, Nestle attaches a high commitment to responsible water resource management because, to them as a manufacturing company, they rely on water throughout their supply chains and operations and therefore recognize their role in helping to ensure access to safe water and sanitation in communities near their operational bases across the globe even as they vowed to continue to invest in responsible water stewardship in their factories.
Nestle’s approach to sustainable water management is in line with the globally recognized Water Stewardship framework – ‘the AWS standard’ ensuring water-related best practices in all its operations with a commitment to certify all its water sites to the AWS standard. The Company’s Agbara site attained this status in 2021 while Abaji factory was certified in 2022.
In a practical demonstration of its commitment to the well-being of the people and the growth of its operational communities, the firm has embarked on various water projects including boreholes, provision of overhead water tanks, provision of water and sanitation facilities as well as provision of health facilities for the people of its host communities and their neighbours.
As part of its commitment to the objective of the United Nation’s World Water Day and its resolve to ensure the availability of water for Nigerians, the Company also reached over 8,000 children annually with information on healthy hydration and water conservation through the Nestlé for Healthier Kids initiative, a school-based nutrition education programme.
In the past three years, Nestlé Nigeria has delivered projects aimed at providing clean and safe drinking water as well as WASH facilities for individuals, families and communities where the company operates. Within this period, about 15 water projects have been donated in Ogbara, Ogun State and Abaji within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In 2021 alone, the company commissioned four water and sanitation facilities in schools around her operations, reaching over 1,600 learners and educators.
Nestlé, in April 2021, commissioned additional water and sanitation project at Salvation Army School 2, Edu, Agbara in Ogun state to provide access to clean and safe drinking water and sanitation for over 1,000 people including educators, learners and families within the community.
In February 2022 Nestlé donated a water facility for school in Ogun State. The facilities are targeted at serving over 500 individuals including educators, learners and families within the community in furtherance of the company’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life and building thriving communities closest to its operations.
In commemoration of World Water Day 2023, Nestlé Nigeria took the message of responsible water management to over 160 children and teachers from public and private primary schools, in collaboration with the Ogun State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency and the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency.
The events included a tour of the company’s water plants in Agbara, Ogun State and Abaji, in the Federal Capital Territory. Activities included games to help the children inculcate the right habits in the way they use, consume, and manage water, to help them become better stewards of this precious resource.
Speaking at the commissioning of Solar Powered water borehole at Manderigi community, Abaji, FCT, Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Victoria Uwadoka, said, “Our commitment to creating shared value compels us to contribute towards improving livelihoods within the communities closest to our operations. We have sustained our investment in building water facilities and improving infrastructure in public schools because we believe that access to clean, safe water and quality education are two of the basic human needs for ensuring our social and economic development.
“These actions align to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4) – ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all and SDG 6 – ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”
Alhaji Suleiman Hassan, Board Chairperson of FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) who was represented by Alhaji Aboki Danladi, Director of School Health and Sports commended Nestlé’s consistent investment in the community. “Today’s event, which also coincides with the World Teachers Day, is another milestone in our shared passion for improving the standard of education in our schools. These projects are timely, and will positively impact the children and teachers in the two schools. This is a laudable contribution to the welfare of the leaders of tomorrow. I particularly commend Nestlé for the consistent investment in promoting education in her host communities,” he added.
On his part, the Onna of Abaji and Chairman FCT Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, represented by the Madaki of Abaji, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim said, “On behalf of the people of Abaji, I would like to thank Nestlé for the provision of these facilities in our schools. Through the support of Nestlé over the years, our wishes are becoming realities. I call on the school community to take good care of the facilities, ensuring they are well maintained for extended productive use”.
Overhead water tank provided by Nestle in one of the communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Speaking at the commissioning of water and sanitation facilities at two schools; Oke-Ona United School, Abeokuta and St Paul’s Anglican School, Orile Imo in Obafemi Owode, both in Ogun State provided by Nestle, the Honorable Commissioner for Education in Ogun State, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu commended Nestle Nigeria for their contribution.
“This contribution to the welfare of the leaders of tomorrow is highly commendable, and we do not take it for granted. Your consistent efforts to add value through the provision of water and sanitation facilities in schools within Ogun State is highly appreciated. The addition of yet another facility at Salvation Army Primary School 2, Edu, Agbara is indeed a welcome support to this administration led by Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR,” he said.
Also speaking at the commissioning, the Board Chairperson of Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Femi Majekodunmi said, “Today’s event is another milestone in our collective drive to further improve the state of personal hygiene in our schools and society at large. I am therefore glad to note that the project which consists of VIP toilets, a borehole and a 2,000 litre capacity overhead storage tank all at Salvation Army Primary School 2, Edu Agbara, Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area are timely and built to world-class standards. I wish to also charge the School Management, Staff and our esteemed learners to make good use of the facilities through proper maintenance to motivate the donors as well as others to do more.”
“I, therefore, wish to especially appreciate Nestlé Nigeria PLC for this laudable intervention in addition to the earlier executed facilities at Oke-Ona United Primary School, Elega Abeokuta North and Saint Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Orile-lmo in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.”
Community leaders, dignitaries as well as the administrators, educators and learners of Salvation Army School 2, expressed delight at finally having water and good toilet facilities within the school premises.
Nestlé Nigeria has led actions to provide clean and safe water in communities closest to its operations in Ogun State and Abaji within the FCT.
Speaking at the event organized in commemoration of 2023 World Water Day, Joy Abdullahi-Johnson, Marketing and Category Manager for Nestlé Waters Nigeria said, “Water is the most critical natural resource for human survival, after air. It, therefore, needs to be managed in a way that is equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial. With the increasing pressure on our water resources, we all need to work together to preserve this vital resource we all depend on”.
“At Nestlé, we believe that equipped with the right information, children can become good stewards of the environment from an early age. We are therefore excited to be at the forefront of efforts to educate these young ones today”, she added.
In his comments at the Agbara factory, Mr Sola Ogunbor, the Programme Manager Ogun State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, said, “World Water Day is another opportunity to emphasis the need for daily consumption of clean water in adequate amounts for optimal hydration and healthy living. Children can contribute to accelerating the needed change by adopting new behaviours on how they use, consume, and manage water in their daily activities, to avoid wastage of this precious resource”.
On her part, Chinyelu Obrike, Head, Water Supply, FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency said while speaking at the Nestlé’s factory in Abaji said, “Every action, no matter how small, will make a difference. Children are agents of change. They are quick to learn and eager to pass across messages learned to their friends, parents, teachers and peers.
This educational advocacy will bring the rapid transformative change needed to fast-track the achievement of SDG 6 – water and sanitation for all. We are happy to be collaborating with Nestlé Nigeria on this laudable initiative”.
Esther Samuel, a primary five pupil of Salvation Army School 1 Agbara, said, “I am very happy to be part of this event. I really enjoyed the tour of the factory. I have learned a lot about how to use and conserve water, and not waste it. I am ready to practice what I have been taught at home and I will definitely teach my siblings and friends all I have learned. I want to thank Nestlé and my school for giving me this interesting experience”.
Nestlé Nigeria is committed to protecting the environment for future generations. Caring for water is one of the ways they do this.
It is hoped that other good-spirited Nigerians from various walks of life will borrow a leaf from Nestle Nigeria in providing water and sanitation facilities in our communities and schools to improve the level of hygiene in our communities and schools.
It is also expected that the people and students of the various schools and communities whereby water facilities have been provided by Nestle would ensure the maintenance and good use of those facilities in order to serve the purpose for which they were provided.
Principals of schools and community leaders should take responsibility for safeguarding those facilities from being vandalized by the unscrupulous elements in their communities.
Pupils of All Saints Primary School, using a water facility donated to the School by Nestle Nigeria
