By NKIRUKA NNOROM

Procter and Gamble, manufacturersof Pampers and other household consumables, has established a significant footprint in Nigeria with the flagging off of N435 billion state-of-the-art baby care manufacturing plant at Agbara, Ogun State.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Group President, Mr. Laurent Philipee, said that the new Agbara factory, which will be constructed on six hectares of land, would help to accommodate the company’s current diaper lines and other category growth.

He noted that the new plant investment showed how the company’s purpose compels it to partner in President GoodLuck Jonathan’s transformation agenda.

Philipee further stated that Nigeria has remained a focus area for the company’s investment, adding that their various investments in Nigeria have continued to contribute to strong inclusive economic growth.

“Currently, over 85 per cent of P&G products sold in Nigeria are manufactured in the country and Nigeria is our business hub for the entire West African region as we expand across the region.

“P&G is determined to expand our investments in the coming five years with our ambitious plans to invest hundreds of millions of Naira in expanding our production platform, in introducing new products and latest product strategy,” he said.

He noted that the new investment would further generate employment in Nigeria with thousands of direct and indirect jobs, adding that the vision was to make Nigeria a major production, innovation and export hub for its African businesses.

The P&G boss explained that already, the company employs over three thousand direct and indirect workers through its offices, suppliers and distributors and has created over 200 small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria so far. Flagging off the construction of the facility, President GoodLuck Jonathan, who was represented by Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, said that the project was a demonstration of P&G’s confidence in Nigerian economy.

Philipee stated that the investment will go a long way in strengthening the country’s goal economically, as well as open the economy for indigenous and foreign investments. He observed that the federal government sees the company as a formidable partner in the development of Nigeria, adding that its corporate social responsibility programme was worth emulating by other organizations.