Over 10,000 people benefit from RUSAL-ALSCON water project

Ikot Abasi, Nigeria, 14 July 2011 – RUSAL-ALSCON, the Nigerian subsidiary of United Company RUSAL, the world’s largest aluminium producer, is pleased to announce the completion of seven water projects, to complement the existing three projects that provide potable water for over 10,000 people in Ikot Abasi LGA where the plant is located. The year-long initiative which is implemented within the framework of the company’s comprehensive social investment programme in the health sector in Ikot Abasi is expected to significantly reduce water-borne diseases prevalent in many local communities in Nigeria and thus improve the social and economic well being of the communities.

RUSAL-ALSCON programme is in line with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s goal of ensuring that 75% of Nigerians have access to safe drinking water by 2015. This programme also compliments the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and World Health Organization’s effort which seek to reduce the number of people who suffer from poor water supplies – a major contributor to Cholera and other diarrheal diseases in developing countries.
The RUSAL-ALSCON water programme comprises two project designs: direct connection to the water distribution network of the Company for communities in the immediate vicinity of the plant and boreholes for more remote villages. With the completion of this programme, the Company has provided water projects to all fives clans in Ikot Abasi LGA. The project has earned RUSAL-ALSCON commendations from a cross-section of people in the communities including chiefs, community leaders, women and youth leaders.

Commenting on the RUSAL-ALSCON water programme, the Managing Director of the smelter, Mr. Anatoly Polovov who had earlier inspected the projects said “RUSAL ALSCON is committed to addressing the social needs of the stakeholder communities. We believe that this support will improve the health and well being of the people and thus enhance the cordial relations which exist between our company and the local communities.”