Yemisi Izuora
Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr Peter Ndegwa has said the company will widen use of local raw materials,LRM, in its productions which means it will empower more farmers to raise their farm input.
The Local Raw Materials include sorghum and maize which have been part of its sourcing strategy for over a decade now.
He also announced the company’s intention to raise the use of locally sourced raw materials from 43 percent to 87 percent over the next 2 years.
Mr. Ndegwa, who made these known at the formal commissioning of the water and sanitation project built and donated by Guinness Nigeria Plc to the Tyowanye Community in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State, noted that move is in line with commitments made by Diageo, Guinness Nigeria’s parent company, to source 80 percent of raw materials used in its operations in Africa locally by 2020.
He expressed delight at the interest shown by the Benue State Government in this initiative.
The Tyowanye water scheme which comprises two solar-powered boreholes and two blocks of VIP toilets and will benefit over 10,000 people in the community is one of three major water schemes the company has delivered this year in collaboration with its NGO partners and is the 35th project Guinness Nigeria has delivered under its Water of Life initiative.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom stated that the state government would be delighted to further partner with Guinness Nigeria in the area of agriculture where the State, known as the food basket of the nation is able to provide all the agricultural inputs Guinness Nigeria requires in its operations.
The Governor also expressed his gratitude over the newly constructed water scheme.
He stated that the water facility will support the government’s drive to improve health and hygiene for Benue state citizens, adding that “as we know, water is life, so he who brings water brings life. Guinness Nigeria has brought ‘life’ to this community through this project and we are very grateful for this intervention’’.
He enjoined the community to protect the investment and use it judiciously to ensure its continued sustainability.