The Enugu State government has commended the three multi-national companies operating in the state, the Nigerian Bottling Company, 7up Bottling Company and the Nigerian Breweries for their invaluable contributions to the socio-economic development of the State.
The State Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources Mr. John Egbo made the commendation when he took delivery of a Hilux Van donated to the State government by the three companies.
Mr. Egbo, noted that the company had continued to show concern in the affairs of the state and restated the determination of government to provide the enabling environment for companies and individuals doing business in the state thrive.
The commissioner explained that by the donation of the van the companies have demonstrated their full support to governments efforts to fight crime especially water pipe vandalization along the Ajalli Owa axis and control of sand excavation within the 9thMile corner effluent channel.
He stated that the Ajalli Owa water channel was essential to the state being the main source of water supply to the people.
Mr. Egbo used the occasion to call on other business organizations operating in the state to emulate the kind gesture of the three companies to meet up with their corporate social responsibilities.
Earlier in a comment, the Public Affairs Manager of the Seven-Up Bottling Company, Mr. Yinka Adesina expressed the delight of his company to corroborate with other sister companies to make the donation as part of their corporate social responsibilities to their host state and the people.
Mr. Adesina expressed worry over the menace of erosion and pipeline vandalisation along the 9th Mile Water Channelisation, by hoodlums and appealed to the state government to step-up efforts to check such act.
He noted that pipe water vandalisation often orchestrated water pollution, which according to him hampered economic activities of the related companies and the people, adding that the decision to make the donation was to assist the Enugu State to put a stop to the menace.
Also in their separate speeches, the representative of the Nigerian Breweries (NBL) Plc, Mr. Patrick Ejidoh and his counterpart, Mr. Emeka Eze of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), collaborated with the views expressed by the representative of the 7-Up Company, stating that protection of the environment is essential.
They noted that it was to put a stop to the channel vandalisation that made them join hands to make the donation of the van and asked the state government to make good use of the hilux to check the pipe water vandalisation.
