Guinness Nigeria Foundation (GNF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Concern Universal, a United Kingdom-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
The MoU is meant to improve access to potable water in about 10 communities in Cross River State. The newly inaugurated GNF is the special purpose vehicle through which Guinness Nigeria Plc and Diageo implements its corporate social responsibility programmes in health, education and empowerment and job creation in the Nigerian market.
Speaking at the signing, Country Director, Concern Universal, Mr. Tim Kellow, applauded Guinness Nigeria Foundation for supporting the Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria (RUSHPIN) programme by providing access to potable water in villages and communities that have achieved open defecation free status in Cross River State.
Kellow said: “This project is aimed at creating positive impact in Benue and Cross River states. The general unsanitary conditions of villages and communities across these two states often lead to a situation where human and animal faeces are carried into the only source of water in the community, a nearby stream or river. We are working with the local communities to enhance their understanding of the link between poor sanitation, hygiene behaviours and diseases like diarrhea, dysentery and cholera. However, the cycle of improved sanitation and hygiene behaviour will not be complete without access to safe water in villages and communities in Benue State and Cross River State.”
Director, Corporate Relations, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, said GNF was delighted to be associated with the initiative, as it resonated with the company’s ‘Water of Life’ programme, which is in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2015.
“I am quite delighted that we can sign this off today. We aim to commence work as soon as the project is commissioned in Calabar. We would also encourage other well-meaning multinational companies, that have deep rooted commitments to the development of host communities, to get involved in this initiative,” Sobowale said.
The Head, Sustainability and Responsibility also of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mrs Adrianne Nwagwu, said: “Our involvement in providing clean water to communities has a remarkable history of its own. We presently have water projects of varying sizes in 15 states of the federation and we have maintained partnerships with other like-minded organisations to support the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to attain the MDG goals on water.”
