The Water of Life initiative shows Guinness Nigeria’s dedication to being more than just a brand—it is a shining example of sustainable impact in the beverage industry.
Since 2012, Guinness Nigeria’s Water of Life CSR project has provided access to drinking water rivalling the efforts of many public institutions in curbing water scarcity in Nigeria.
According to the project’s website, “the initiative is a partnership involving organisations such as Guinness Nigeria, Coca Cola, Diageo and the TY Danjuma Foundation. Each organisation contributes to a fund to provide clean drinking water to millions of people across Africa.”
As of 2022, Guinness Nigeria has through the project, completed 22 water projects across Nigeria, with an increasing direct beneficiary of over two million people across Abia, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Nasarawa, Edo, Benue, Oyo, Delta, Imo, Oyo, Ondo, Enugu, Ekiti, Kwara and Anambra states.
Background
In today’s corporate landscape, sustainability has become a non-negotiable aspect of responsible business practices. As Peter Senge, the renowned author of “The Fifth Discipline” and “The Necessary Revolution,” underscores, organisations must comprehend their role within a larger social system to address sustainability concerns. This understanding forms the basis of corporate social responsibility (CSR), a self-regulating business model that holds companies socially accountable to themselves, stakeholders, and the public.
Guinness Nigeria Plc became a household name in Nigeria’s beverage industry not only for its products but also for the sustainable projects it drives in its host communities. Guinness Nigeria’s strategic shift towards corporate social responsibility has seen it weave sustainability into the very fabric of its operations. The company’s sustainable development strategy, which is founded on three pillars—leadership in alcohol in society, building thriving communities and reducing environmental impact—demonstrates a long-term commitment.
Though Guinness Nigeria’s CSR commitment covers a wide range of interventions including sports, health, responsible drinking, education, and skill acquisition, the Water of Life project shines brightest as a stellar example of sustainable impact.
Guinness Water of Life Project
Guinness Nigeria’s ‘Water of Life’ scheme provides clean drinking water and addresses water-related issues in Nigeria. The project typically involves the creation of water facilities, such as boreholes and water treatment systems. As a subsidiary of Diageo Plc, Guinness Nigeria aligns this initiative with Diageo’s global sustainability strategy.
Guinness Nigeria Plc Managing Director Mr John Musunga said the company aims to ensure the enduring success of the project for present and future generations through collaboration with communities and leaders. The key to realizing this vision lies in the collective responsibility of communities to safeguard and maintain these facilities. As of February 2016, Guinness Nigeria had installed 22 transportable water systems and was seeking partnerships with NGOs for fresh Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives in 2016. The goal of these initiatives was to promote rural sanitation and hygiene by increasing access to safe water.
According to an official Guinness Nigeria press release in 2019, since the launch of this scheme, Guinness Nigeria has provided safe drinking water to over two million Nigerians through approximately 22 water schemes across the country. These schemes are located in Abia, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Nassarawa, Edo, Benue, Oyo, Imo, Oyo, and Ondo. Enugu, Ekiti, Kwara and Anambra states.
Baker Magunda, a former Managing Director of the company, stated that in 2020, Guinness Nigeria delivered a total volume of 209,684 cubic metres of water, which represents 153% of our F20 water replenishment target of 153,272 m, to serve over 21,000 beneficiaries. This was a year when the need for clean, potable water and sanitation became more pronounced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to its 2021 sustainability report, Guinness Nigeria, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, provided 44,601 cubic metres of water to three communities in Nasarawa and Bauchi states. The solar-powered water systems serve over 7,000 people and are self-sustaining through local water committees made up of men and women from the communities. In 2022, they commissioned five Water of Life Projects in Adamawa and Bauchi states, replenishing over 63,000 cubic metres of water and serving nearly 9,000 beneficiaries.
Mr Musunga recently emphasized the company’s dedication to corporate social responsibility and its aim to make a positive impact in the communities in which it operates during his opening remarks at the commissioning of three solar-powered motorised water infrastructure units, each of 10,000m3 capacity, in Oyo State in November 2023. He stated: “We are delighted to return as a company and contribute to these communities. We are launching three water projects that will provide safe drinking water and hygiene for over 11,000 people, with a combined technical capacity to produce over 46 million litres of water each year.”
Through the Diageo Water of Life program, Guinness Nigeria has implemented several initiatives that have provided clean drinking water and reduced environmental impact in several states in Nigeria. These initiatives are currently benefiting millions of Nigerians in rural communities, from the north to the south. The Water of Life initiative shows Guinness Nigeria’s dedication to being more than just a brand—it is a shining example of sustainable impact in the beverage industry.
Transformative Impact of the Project
Guinness Nigeria’s Water of Life initiative has had a positive impact on communities throughout the country. Members of the D’Ka community have expressed how much the project has reduced their burden and improved their livelihoods.
The one commissioned in the Eruwa community of Oyo State – an 84 million litre annual capacity water system – was reported to have “brought an end to the age-long water scarcity” in the community.
Access to clean water improves health, well-being, and socio-economic development. Clean water is essential for public health, educational opportunities, and community prosperity. Guinness Nigeria’s collaborative efforts with government agencies and NGOs show a commitment to collective action.
Guinness Nigeria’s Water of Life initiative is an inspirational model for other stakeholders. The company’s commitment to sustainable development has the potential to inspire not only other businesses but also governmental and non-governmental entities to collaborate on initiatives that address pressing issues such as water scarcity, hygiene, and sanitation.
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