We remain committed to helping Nigeria meet her SDGs—Guinness MD

The Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa has disclosed that Nigeria’s foremost total beverage alcohol company, Guinness Nigeria Plc, remains committed to helping Nigeria meet her Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets, especially in providing access to water and sanitation for most the people.

Ndegwa disclosed this when the company released its Sustainability Report for 2016, reporting its performance on various aspects of its operations while outlining its sustainability targets for the future.

The report was unveiled in Lagos recently at a formal ceremony attended by various stakeholder groups and partners such as the Federal Road Safety Corps, The Lagos Business School, Water Aid, Institute for Industrial technology (IIT) and Diageo’s Global Sustainable Development Director, David Croft amongst others.

The Sustainability report, titled, Sustainability: From Grain to Glass, is an 87-paged report that covers “our performance in the reporting year July to June 2016, and focuses on material issues critical to the sustainability of our business.

We consider an issue material if it could potentially have a significant impact on our business performance or our business leadership position.

The report also captures the strategy we will be leveraging to achieve the Sustainable Development goals we have set out to attain,” excerpts from the report stated.

It further added, “Every year, we set ourselves stretching targets that will guide us as we work to reduce our negative impact on the environment.

We also strive to increase our positive social impact by delivering transformational social investments in communities where we operate. This report captures our achievements in the 2016 financial year.”

Croft said: “Overall we are proud of the progress made. Guinness Nigeria’s Sustainable Development strategy which aligns with Diageo’s global strategy is underpinned by three main pillars: Leadership in alcohol in society, building thriving communities and reducing environmental impact. Delivering on these goals is an integral part of our long-term business strategy and our commitment to making a real difference in communities where we operate.”

Speaking with Daily Times, he said, “Water is very important to us at Guinness. In Nigeria, about 57 million Nigerians don’t have access to safe water.

Around the world, about 700 million people don’t have access to safe drinking water daily. Sanitation is lacking.

Two and half billion people don’t have access to toilet and so the work we are doing in Guinness Nigeria and Diageo is to provide water and toilets to those communities.

“The work we do with our community partners is to give water back to communities in Nigeria so that more people have access to safe drinking water because we know our business will grow and thrive if those communities thrive, that’s why what is important to us is important to them.”

Major highlights from the 2016 report include notable social investments in the Guinness Eye Hospitals, the flagship Water of Life scheme and the Undergraduate Scholarship scheme, which has opened doors of opportunity to many young Nigerians.

Guinness Nigeria also continued to make a notable economic impact in Nigeria.

In the 2016 financial year, the company paid over N16 billion in taxes ranging from VAT, employee taxes, Corporate Income Tax, Excise Duties and other taxes

Moving forward, the company outlined strategic objectives the attainment of which will put it in better stead to serve its key stakeholders as well as help to strengthen corporate reputation and build a sustainable business.

In business performance, the company aims to optimize return on investment for its investors and shareholders through good corporate governance and by implementing the plans that underpin its performance ambition.

Product quality will be sustained through unwavering commitment to providing consumers with beverages that meet the highest standard of quality.

In innovation, the company said it will continue to leverage on its world class innovation platforms to create high quality products for our consumers, while maintaining an enabling work environment for its employees.

In environmental performance, the company said it remains committed to ensuring that its products, processes and operations are safe for the environment.

Its corporate social investment will remain focused on impacting lives positively while enhancing the wellbeing of host communities.

The company will continue to sustain initiatives that promote responsible consumption of alcohol and prevent underage drinking and ensure strict adherence to the principles of responsible marketing of its beverage brands.