Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, USAID launch $2m water initiative in Nigeria

The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation (TCCAF) and the U.S. Agency for International Development Mission Office in Nigeria (USAID/Nigeria) have launched the third phase of the Water and Development Alliance (WADA) program to provide safe water and hygiene facilities to public schools and hospitals in select rural communities, a statement said.

This will be the third such WADA partnership in Nigeria between TCCAF and USAID in their continuing commitment to help address challenges associated with access to safe water and sanitation services.

The statement said the WADA – a joint initiative between The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) and the USAID – contributes to protecting and improving the sustainability of watersheds, increasing access to water supply and sanitation services, and enhancing productive uses of water. With a combined investment of over $39 million since 2005, WADA is having a positive impact on the lives of people and the health of communities in 30 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

This unique partnership, the statement said leverages expertise and resources for community development by improving access to clean drinking water and sanitation services while raising awareness and sharing best hygiene practices in the target communities in Nigeria where the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that only 64 percent of the population has access to improved sources of drinking water, while only 28 percent have access to improved sanitation facilities.

“The U.S. government is committed to engaging in effective and innovative alliances with the private sector to support Nigeria’s critical development needs,” said William Steuer, Acting U.S. Consul General in Lagos. “We are proud to collaborate with The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation to bring a sustainable and safe water solution to thousands of people in Nigeria,” he added in the statement.

During the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the WADA III programme held in Lagos recently, USAID Director to Nigeria, Michael T. Harvey said, “Today, we are consolidating a special partnership, one in which a private firm has joined with a U.S. government Agency to contribute to a priority set by the Government of Nigeria”.

Susan Mboya-Kidero, President of The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and Women’s Economic Empowerment Director for Coca-Cola Eurasia and Africa said “Building on the success of our existing partnership in Nigeria, we are honoured to be announcing the third phase of the WADA program. Sustainability of our programs and their continued positive impact to the communities we serve across Africa is an imperative for The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation.”

Managing Director of Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Adeola Adetunji, noted in the statement that the WADA III programme will contribute to achieving the goals of the Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN), a flagship programme of The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, which aims to improve access to clean water for 6 million Africans by 2020.

 

DANIEL OBI