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BUA Obu Cement Company, a cement manufacturing subsidiary of BUA Group – one of Africa’s largest manufacturing conglomerates – has inaugurated six solar-powered water projects in some communities in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government area of Edo State. In addition, the company also inaugurated a scholarship board that will administer its yearly scholarship scheme.

According to a statement by BUA Group, the projects are part of its corporate sustainability and social development initiatives. Plant Director of BUA Obu Cement Company, Ahmed Idris, said the solar-powered boreholes are spread across Iddo, Imiakuri, Awuyemi, Ogute, Okhuonmunyio and Imiegiele communities. He said the projects will bring clean potable water closer to the communities and also help to reduce the incidences of water-borne diseases by making potable water accessible to the communities.

“We intend that these six water projects, which meet the requirements for reliable, sustainable and potable water, will make life easier for the Okpella people,” Idris said.

In the past, BUA Obu Cement Company renovated primary schools and supported the provision of subsidized electricity to the communities. The company, located in the Okpella community in Edo state, is a six-million-metric-tonnes-of-cement complex.

“These projects reaffirm that at BUA Group, corporate social responsibility is more than just a watchword. It is social pact and an enduring commitment between BUA, the people and communities where we operate to bring about sustainable development,” said O’tega Ogra, Head of Corporate Communications at BUA Group.

Ogra added that BUA Group and its subsidiaries will continue to adopt responsible business practices while contributing positively to the development of its host communities by investing in health, education, water, sanitation, and other areas in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Starting from September 2019, according to the Plant Director, BUA Obu Cement Company will be sponsoring 24 students from Okpella, who are studying in any of the Nigerian universities or polytechnics, annually. “We are not stopping there; we have also identified a host of other ways to improve the lives of members of our host community, from community roads to schools’ renovation and healthcare support,” Idris said.

The Chairman of the newly-inaugurated scholarship board, Peter Aronokhale, said: “I am impressed at the mutually beneficial partnership between BUA and the Okpella people.”

Aronokhale noted that this is the first time a company is undertaking a project of such magnitude in the community. He said, “On our part, we are willing and prepared to mobilize the communities to support the company’s accelerated growth and development. Your success is our success.”