Nestlé Waters has opened a new manufacturing facility in central Nigeria to produce Nestlé Pure Life, the company’s brand of bottled water.
The Abaji facility has come at a cost of NGN 5.6 billion ($28.2 million) and will create more than 100 new jobs for the local economy. The 14.6 hectare site will also support future demand and growth in the northern and western regions of Nigeria, Nestlé Waters said.
It will be the company’s second and most modern water processing facility in Central and West Africa, complementing the existing factory in southwestern Nigeria.
Nestlé Waters chairman and CEO Marco Settembri said: “We are committed to helping people lead healthier lives as water is surely the best way to fulfil daily hydration needs. Our goal is to provide families in Nigeria and all around the world with an affordable and convenient daily healthy hydration solution.”
Underlining Nestlé’s “firm commitment” to development in Nigeria, Nestlé Nigeria managing director Dharnesh Gordhon said: “Our company has been present in Nigeria for 55 years. We are committed to continue to bring significant value to society through local sourcing, the creation of jobs and by offering high-quality, nutritious foods and beverages to the Nigerian population.”
Nestlé will continue to work with the local communities where it operates to create opportunities for them and help improve their livelihoods, as well as raise awareness of conservation and water access issues. It supports international non-governmental organisation Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) to help teachers raise awareness about water conservation and proper hydration among schoolchildren. In Nigeria, 6,000 schoolchildren in 115 schools in the Lagos and Osun states followed the programme during 2016. This will be expanded to 25 schools, 100 teachers and 2,500 pupils in Abaji this year, Nestlé Waters said.
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