Executive Director, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, flanked by the Policy and Research Officer, CAPPA, Zikora Ibe (left) and Abiodun Bakare of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Technical, Recreational and Employee Services (AUPCTRE) at a press briefing to begin Africa Week of Action against Water Privatisation, in Lagos
Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition (OWORAC) and activists from around the globe have called on African leaders to forget their plans of privatising water resources on the continent.
At a briefing in Lagos, organised by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), crusaders from across Africa and beyond opposed leaders pushing “dangerous privatisation schemes” for resources that Nature freely gaives to the people.
The event was a response to the convergence of the World Bank and International Fund (IMF) in Marrakech, Morocco, for Africa Water Week, to promote product privatisation.
In Lagos to discuss the issue tagged ‘Holding Hands to Protect Africa’s Water From Corporate Capture’ were Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi; Biodun Bakare of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), as well as journalists, activists and other civil society officials.
During the event moderated by Policy and Research Officer of CAPPA, Zikora Ibeh, and joined by activists via Zoom from Boston, Senegal, Mozambique and other parts of Africa, Oluwafemi said the Bretton Woods Institutions instigated African governments to key into the privatisation process, to achieve their capitalist aim.
The CAPPA boss added: “The most essential thing is that we are organising, and will continue to organise. We have to show our oppressors that we can meet them in the boardroom, as well as on the streets.
“Our rights are gradually being taken away by corporations. We must hold hands to ensure that Africans have access to potable water.”
Speaking on the unique risks of water privatisation, Diouf, who also joined via Zoom, noted that it would reduce job security and create new yellow trade unions, with their accompanying ills.
Canvassing more action against the dangerous scheme, Chevening Scholar and Associate Director of CAPPA, Aderonke Ige, said: “Those who betray people’s trust are not playing; so, no amount of street action is too much.”
She added that the street actions would be followed with petitions to the African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), East African Community (EAC) and Central African States (CAS).
The Guardian
