NIGERIA – Guinness Nigeria has donated a mini water project to members of the Angwan Albarka Community in Nasarawa State as part of its sustainable development strategy.

The project, which was commissioned under the Diageo Africa Water of Life Programme, will bring succor to the over 50,000 thousand residents of the community, who have had challenges with sourcing portable water.

Speaking at the commissioning of the project, the Head of Agribusiness, Guinness Nigeria, Mrs. Jacquelyne Yawa reiterated that the company’s commitment in supporting the communities it operates in.

“For us and the people of Angwan Albarka Community, this project marks an important milestone.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to the communities in which we source, make or sell our products, Guinness Nigeria has established several water schemes under the Diageo Africa Water of Life Programme.

“The project provides access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities, thereby contributing to the social-economic development of Nigeria,” Yawa said.

According to a Beverage Industry report, Diageo has so far completed twenty-two mini water projects across Nigeria to serve millions of people in households and rural communities who may not have access to potable water.

“We have commissioned water mini projects in several states including Abia, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun Niger, Nasarawa, Edo, Benue, Oyo, Imo, Ondo, Enugu, Ekiti, Kwara, Anambra and Kebbi,” Yawa said.

Speaking on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Chizoma Opara encouraged other multinationals to emulate the gesture of Guinness Nigeria by executing more expansive and inclusive CSR programmes.

“This Company has contributed greatly to the achievement of the UN sustainable development goal (SDG).

“Through the projects, it has established several WASH schemes that provide access to clean drinking water and toilet facilities for communities across the country.

“Largely, this gesture has fostered socio-economic development across these communities. However, it must be noted that addressing the issues of water sanitation and hygiene is our collective responsibility,” Opara said.

In 2010, Guinness Nigeria initiated the first-ever business imperative round table, which aimed to advance existing corporate, practices around water and identify the roles businesses in supporting effective water policies.

Since then the brewer has been implementing sustainable water projects aimed at supporting the realization of the sustainable development goals.