Lusaka– The Lusaka community has a clear road ahead after Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Zambia handed over completed works on a 1.1km stretch of the Ndipo Road.
The Coca-Cola bottler has also committed to maintain the road and keep it clean, install signage, construct a bus shelter, and maintain litter bins, following an investment of K500,000 in the upgrade which it shared 50/50 with the contractor, Steffstocks. who was the main civil works contractor for the K179,300,000.00 ($11 million) waste-water treatment plant at the factory on Ndipo Road.
CCBA in Zambia General Manager, Herbert Nuwamanya said the company was committed to creating greater shared opportunity for the communities it serves across the value chain.
Since CCBA commenced operations in Zambia in 2018, it has been involved in several community initiatives notable among them being the installation of boreholes to the value of K326,000.00 ($20,000). The project provided clean water and handwashing facilities to 15,000 beneficiaries who had limited access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene services in Shampule, Kalundu, Linda and Shamakamba in Chilanga District. CCBA in Zambia through the Coca-Cola Foundation extended K2,650,000.00 ($150,000) to support Covid vaccination efforts through the Red Cross Society. CCBA is currently supporting the collection and recycling of used PET bottles. Year to date CCBA in Zambia through its collection and recycling partners is collecting and recycling more than two times the PET it produces and puts on the market. In the past two and half years K7,900,000.00 has been spent on this collection and recycling initiative.
At CCBA we believe in doing business the right way. “When we grow our business the right way, not just the easy way, we help create inclusive growth opportunities for our communities, women and youth, our customers, our employees and our shareholders, for a better shared future,” said Mr. Nuwamanya.
“We are growing sustainably because we are doing business the right way and re-investing in our communities. When communities are strong, we win together. Partnerships are very important to us – with communities, government, or industry bodies – all with the aim of the best outcome for all.”
“The future of our company is directly related to the wellbeing and prosperity of the communities we serve, which is why we focus on sourcing our raw materials locally, ensuring Zambian suppliers benefit from the growth of our business,” said Herbert.
The road upgrade follows a request by the community to CCBA and the company continues to work with the community to address issues of mutual concern. We are part of this community and issues that impact this community whether positively or negatively also impact us. We are committed to remain an active participant in the community.
