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By Merit Ibe
In line with its commitment to promote water sustainability, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd, a member of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC), has advocated for social responsibility towards water use in celebration of the 2023 World Water Day.
To commemorate the event, the company organized a range of events across its plants in the country including community outreach initiatives, symposiums and lectures aimed at raising awareness on the importance of water conservation.
As part of the celebration, NBC opened its doors to a selected group of journalists providing them with an exclusive tour of its state-of-the-art Lagos plant. During the visit, the media representatives received a comprehensive briefing on the con sing water in ways that are environmentally sustainable and economically advantageous in the communities where we operate. In our facilities, we put ourselves to the test by setting too ambitious goals for how to cut the amount of water we use to make our beverages.”
Over the last five years, NBC has made notable progress in its efforts to minimise water consumption, achieving an 18 percent reduction in its water use ratio. In the previous year, the amount of water abstracted from the environment was reduced by 4percent, with 1.5 billion litres of water released back into the environment in a condition suitable for aquatic life. “In addition, the organisation has implemented measures to recycle the water it extracts, with 192 million litres (4 per cent) of water reused in 2022. Moreover, NBC has donated 22.5 million litres of water back to its host communities, underscoring its commitment to sustainable water management practices.
National Environment Manager, NBC, Temitope Ogunrinde, noted that the company was open to partnerships with the government and other stakeholders to ensure sustainable water supply. He emphasised that “Water is an essential part of daily life and it’s crucial to sustain the water supply to prevent water insecurity, particularly in high-risk areas.”
NBC has a proven track record of undertaking various water stewardship projects in the past. In 2019, the organisation refurbished the Kano State Water Board Laboratory in Panshekara, equipping it with cutting-edge water testing technology, along with installing two tube wells to provide clean water to more than 300,000 individuals residing in the Madobi area and Challawa community.
