By Emeka Aginam

As part of its commitment to expand   brewing capacity in the Nigerian economy, Guinness Nigeria Plc, in partnership with its UK parent company,  Diageo Plc; have allocated N55 billion for  brewing operations.

On completion of the expansion project according to  Ngozi Ife Anene,  Corporate Communications Manager,  Guinness Nigeria Plc, Guinness Nigeria will create an additional 200 permanent jobs for Nigerians.

The formal announcement of the investment, she said, comes closely after the recent opening of a new brew house in the company’s Ogba plant which was commissioned in February by the UK Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham MP.

With this development, she said the expansion project has become imperative to meet the growing demands of consumers for Guinness Foreign Extra Stout and Harp Lager Beer and other brands enjoyed nationwide.

The investment, according to Guinness, will include the upgrading of existing facilities as well as increasing the brewing capacity of both Benin and Ogba plants.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director Guinness Nigeria Plc, Devlin Hainsworth has said that, “Nigeria is an exciting and vibrant place to do business, and the increased demand for our iconic brands such as Guinness and Harp requires us to invest in our breweries and infrastructure.

Guinness Nigeria is a significant contributor to economic growth through paying taxes to government, generating capital growth and distributing dividends to our many shareholders and creating broad-based wealth through our extensive value chain.

‘We are delighted that we will create a significant number of jobs for Nigerians upon completion of the project.”

For Nick Blazquez, President Diageo Africa accompanying UK Prime Minister David Cameron to Nigeria while lauding this development said that ,  “Diageo is proud of its history and the heritage that Guinness Nigeria has with over 60 years brewing experience in the country.

Guinness Nigeria has become a flagship Nigerian company, so much so that Nigerians take pride in the fact that their country is the second biggest Guinness market in the world with ‘Nigerian’ Guinness now being exported to the United Kingdom.

”This investment underscores Diageo’s confidence in Nigeria and its people and is an affirmation of our belief in its future as a growing economy and prosperous nation.”