By Emeka Aginam
As part of its commitment to expand it  brewing capacity in the Nigeria, Guinness Nigeria Plc in partnership with its UK parent company,  Diageo plc; the world’s leading premium drinks business, have allocated N55 billion for  brewing operations.

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

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

With this development, 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 increase the brewing capacity of both Benin and Ogba Breweries.

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, 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 ,  “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 growth economy and prosperous nation.”