The plight of the Nemattoulaye-Attecoube area in Abidjan was highlighted by African Development Bank staff who, in collaboration with the Lion's Club Abidjan Strelitzia, joined forces to provide much needed assistance and support to the area.

30/11/2018

Decked In rubber boots, gloves, masks, and aprons, staff of the African Development Bank joined forces with members of Lion's Club Strelitzia Abidjan on Thursday to clean up Attecoube - an Abidjan neighborhood that suffered from devastating floods early this year.

Last June, a devastating flooding in Abidjan and environs left deaths and destruction in its wake. Roads were degraded and houses destroyed. Debris littered schools, homes, roads and gutters, leading to environment and health concerns.

The Bank's Staff Council President, Babatunde Adenibi said the Council and its partners were motivated by the need to give back to the society as part of a broader corporate social responsibility culture.

"In addition to the clean-up exercise, the items we have donated will help the school and the community in general to keep clean," he said.

For 10-year-old Sephora Zamble and 1,300 students of Ecole Primaire Publique in Attecoube, the effect continues to linger long after. Going to school had become a nightmare as parts of the school was still covered in massive debris. A double-shift school system introduced as a result of the flooding made students take turns to learn. Sephora's school now wears a new look, bringing immense joy to her and mates, thanks to the clean-up exercise.

Over 50 volunteers went round Nemattoulaye, Attecoube clearing blocked gutters, roads, and schools. Tons of filth, including building rubble, soil and sediments, trees and shrubs were removed and disposed of in plastic garbage bags and disposed of in special purpose tricycle trucks.

An excited Sephora said after the clean-up: "I feel good that this clean-up is happening. Learning in a dirty environment makes me sad. We feel dirty when the school is dirty and often have diseases that our parents don't have money to cure. I have friends who cannot come to school because our environment is dirty."

The Staff Council (SCO) of the Bank launched the CLEAN-UP operation as part of activities marking the 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Day on the theme, "Clean up Attecoube."

The plight of the Nemattoulaye, Attecoube area was highlighted by the African Development Bank staff Association who, in collaboration with the Lion's Club Abidjan Strelitzia, joined forces to provide much needed assistance and support to the area.

In addition to the Clean-Up activities, the volunteers provided lunch for 1,300 pupils of the local nursery and primary school.

"I believe that the Bank and the Lions Club have the same concern which is improving lives of people in deprived areas. When a group of people come together, roll up their sleeves and take action on a project to make their community better, it's a beautiful thing and an incredible feeling for everyone involved," said Daniele Ouegnin, President of Lion Club International, District 403 A2, Zone 311.

"Being a Lion is about leading by example, building relationships and improving the word through kindness. It is how caring Men and Women serve together so they can make greater impact and change more lives."

To help the community remain clean, the mission donated cleaning tools, including 3 wheel garbage trucks , large wheeled waste bins, brooms, brushes, rakes, wheel barrows, shovels, gloves, garbage bags, masks, various cleaning products and disinfectant materials.

Principal of Ecole Primaire Publique 2, Mme Akabla Aoussi described the intervention as timely, given that the neighbourhood needs the donated tools to clean up the environment.

"We want to thank you for choosing this place that really needs help. Our environment is water-logged and in need of interventions like this," she said.

The corporate social responsibility activity supports the Bank's overall assistance to its host country.

At the end of October 2018, the Bank's portfolio in Cote d'Ivoire comprised 23 operations (11 national, 5 multinational and 7 private sector operations) for total net commitments of €1,162 million. The public sector accounts for 16 operations valued at €1,218.03 million, while the private sector accounts for 7 projects worth € 261 million. Transport and energy sectors account for 65% and 24% of the portfolio, respectively.

Since 1964, when the Bank started operations in Cote d'Ivoire, it has participated in financing about 85 operations amounted € 2,845 million.