By Chioma Umeha
To guarantee interventions that transform lives
and improve the health and well-being of communities in Nigeria, Guinness
Nigeria Plc has constructed seven hand pump water boreholes in Bebi Community,
Obanliku Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State.
The donated boreholes which will provide more than
7,000 persons with year-round access to safe drinking water were unveiled at a
commissioning ceremony which the company held to mark this year’s ‘World Water
Day’.
Guinness Nigeria’s continued commitment to
initiatives that improve access to safe water was underscored at the event by
the company’s Corporate Relations Director, Mr. Sesan Sobowale who represented
the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria. Sobowale noted that the company will
continue to play a leading role in enhancing access to safe drinking water in
Nigeria. He said:
“The boreholes we are commissioning today are the
latest addition to the range of water projects Guinness Nigeria has delivered
in states across the country as part of Diageo’s flagship ‘Water of Life’
programme.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Dan Ebri,
Director of Water at the Cross River State Ministry of Water Resources, commended
Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to initiatives that promote access to safe
drinking water in Nigeria.
He said: “I commend Guinness Nigeria’s commitment
to interventions that tackle the challenge of water scarcity in rural areas
especially in Cross River State. I also thank the company for partnering United
Purpose to deliver programmes that have helped Obanliku LGA to achieve ‘open
defecation free’ status. The impact your partnership has made is laudable”.
The clan head of Bebi Eastward in Obanliku LGA, His
Royal Highness Atung Francis, also expressed the community’s profound
appreciation for the donated water facility. He observed that prior to the
donation, community members trekked to the hilltop – a distance of about three
kilometres-to fetch water.
In his remarks at the commissioning ceremony, the
Country Director of United Purpose, Nigeria, Mr. Tim Connell acknowledged
Guinness Nigeria’s contributions to the SWISH programme in Cross River state.
