The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), the sole bottler of Coca-Cola products in Nigeria and a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Limited (CCHBC) has inaugurated several education and water projects in Kano State.

According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the firm signed with the state, the completed projects will benefit over one million people living around the area where the company has its operations.

The projects presented to the people include a refurbished Kano State Water Board Laboratory in Panshekara, the provision of Ultra-modern Water Testing equipment for the laboratory, two Tube Wells drilled and connected to the Main Water Supply Network that directly provides water to about one million residents around the Madobi area, a block of Classrooms and furniture donated to Medile Primary School and the provision of Water Supply to Challawa community.

In addition, the company facilitated the training of senior managers from the Kano State Water Board on Performance Management and Team Maintenance. The company also laid 15 kilometers of new environmentally friendly High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) water pipe lines and conducted training for Kano State Water Board (KBSWB) technicians trained on maintenance of the special HDPE Pipes.

The company which has been operating in the state since 1982 said that the provision of the facilities and projects is a fitting reward for the tremendous goodwill and relentless support it has received from Kano State Government and its people since it started doing business in the state.

Speaking at the handover of all the projects to the state government, the representative of Managing Director of Kano State Water Board, who is the General Manager, Productions of the State Water Board, Ibraheem Saad, expressed gratitude to NBC for its unwavering commitment and support from the conceptualization of the projects to their successful execution, noting that the Water Board was happy that these investments would provide lasting solution to the water challenges confronting parts of the state.

While presenting the education and water projects to the people of the state, the Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company, George Polymenakos, expressed his profound appreciation to the Kano State Government for its invaluable support to the Coca-Cola system over the years, stressing that the delivery of these community projects comes as a fulfillment of the company’s pledged contribution to the development of the state and the nation as a whole.

“We believe that our communities are the bedrock of our business. If our communities are healthy, prosperous and sustainable, only then can our business become strong and grow. This is why we invest in viable programs such as these to develop the productive capacity of the people and drive the sustainable development of our communities”, he said.

Explaining the impact education can have on a people, Polymenakos said “Education is one of the most important investments a country can make in its people and its future. In line with this, we have constructed a block of classrooms with staff office and provided furniture for pupils of Medile Primary School, Kano. This, we hope, will support government’s efforts at bringing education to the doorstep of every child.”

He explained that the projects would help the government address water and other issues confronting the residents of Kano state while also assisting the company in its commitment to scale up its business operations within the state to create more jobs for the teeming youth.

The MD revealed that the company spent over €4 million euros on the various projects which is a testament of the confidence the company has in doing business in the state, adding that this further demonstrates its commitment to the wellbeing of the communities where it does business.

Also speaking at the inaugural, the representative of the Emir of Kano, the Seriki Fulani Jaedanawa of Kano, Abubakar Gwadabe Buhari commended NBC for its show of concern and commitment in meeting some of the important needs of communities in the state.

“As a district head, I know the sufferings of our rural communities. I must say NBC has done well in alleviating their hardship. Let me quickly add that the Emir of Kano is indeed happy with these projects given the fact that it addresses two major challenges, education and water availability in these communities” he said.

On his part, Group Quality, Safety & Environment Director, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC), Zoltan Syposs who was part of the conceptualization of the idea that birthed the projects commended the Kano State Government alongside NBC team on the successful completion saying that the projects form part of Coca-Cola Hellenic 2025 commitment that is focused on making the environment sustainable.

Also commenting on the completion of the projects, Water Resources & Technologies Manager, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC), Nils Deeke who flew in from Switzerland for the inauguration said the investment in Kano state is in line with the commitment to give back to the society while also playing a crucial role in the economic development of the state.

Deeke stated that the huge investment in those projects comes as appreciation for Kano residents who have been keeping faith and supporting the business for close to four decades.

“It is not just enough to sell our products, we want to make positive impact in the lives of people as well as the communities around us. As we speak, over 20 communities have been provided with water supplies. We will also build capabilities that would ensure that the facilities provided are well maintained”, he explained.

See photos from the inaugural

Renovation of KNSWB Lab and Donation of Water Analysis Equipment

2 Tube wells drilled and connected to Municipal water supply source

Shallow Wells Project to supply water to the Plant

Training of KNSWB Technicians & Managers on Pipe Maintenance & Performance Management

New Classroom Block & Furniture donated to Medile Primary School