Lagos – The U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) and the Coca-Cola Company, on Friday announced their
readiness to support a new Water and Development Alliance (WADA)
project.
The $2 million project agreement, which was signed between USAID and Coca-Cola
would provide safe drinking water and good sanitation by 2019 for 100,000 people
in Cross River State.
U.S. Acting Consul-General, Mr William Steuer, said that the signed
agreement was part of his government’s commitment to working with
partners in achieving development in Nigeria.
“The U.S. Government is committed to engaging in effective and
innovative alliances with committed partners to support Nigeria’s
critical development needs.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
“We are proud to collaborate with Coca-Cola to bring a sustainable
and safe water solution to thousands of people in Nigeria,” he said.
USAID Director in Nigeria, Mr Michael Harvey, who signed on behalf of
his organisation said that the gesture was part the agency’s
contribution to the development of the priorities set by the Nigerian
government.
Harvey said that both organisations have had collaboration since 2007
and that the partnership was being expanded to the provision of safe
drinking water and sanitation in some states.
“Today, we are consolidating on a special partnership, one in which a
private firm has joined us in contributing to a priority set by the
Government of Nigeria.
“This new agreement will provide a framework to implement WADA and to
allow the parties to establish a range of policy issues to achieve
their shared objectives in Nigeria,’’ he said.
The WADA project helps to control and prevent water-related diseases
such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea by providing water and
sanitation services and hygiene education in communities.
The project also establishes Water, Environment, and Sanitation
Committees in communities where the project works. (NAN)