afrol News, 24 September - Diageo, the worlds leading premium drinks company, has been recognised today by the Clinton Global Initiative for its work in providing many of the poorest people across Africa with access to clean water.

The company also today announced at the Clinton Global Initiative a new project that it has committed to funding in West Africa through its Arthur Guinness Fund, which has been created to celebrate Guinness’s 250th anniversary.

The Fund is providing seed funding towards a new enterprise initiative to build a sustainable market for CrystalPur TM, an affordable water filter that eliminates 99.99 per cent of all waterborne bacteria and parasites with no chemicals or mechanical parts.

The initiative, according to the company will benefit over 250,000 people, in Nigeria and Ghana, in areas where nearby surface water is predominately used and water is boiled for drinking purposes. The programme partners with Enterpriseworks / VITA, an international not-for-profit organisation who will support local entrepreneurs in the distribution and retail sales of the water filters, as well as develop local campaigns to educate on the benefits of clean water and hygiene.

Nick Blazquez, President, Africa region, Diageo plc, said today: "This project in West Africa with the Arthur Guinness Fund is being developed to compliment our existing Water of Life programme which has already helped to enrich the lives of many communities and over 3.2 million people across Africa."

"We know that improving access to clean and safe water contributes to improved health and education levels and reduces poverty. I am delighted to have our contribution to the communities across Africa recognised by the Clinton Global Initiative today," he said.

Diageo’s Water of Life 1 Million Challenge supports community-based projects to improve access to drinking water, as well as aid environmental conservation and deliver capacity-building training with local partners.

In the last three years, since Water of Life started, Diageo’s programmes across Africa have provided over 3.2 million people access to clean water. The 1 Million Challenge aims to give 1 million more people access to clean water each year.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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