The Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr John Musunga, has said doing business in Edo State has been relatively easy largely due to the cooperation of the people and the Edo State Government.

A statement said the managing director said this when he led the Guinness team on a courtesy visit to Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

He also expressed Guinness’ commitment to more socio-economic engagement programmes that would improve the standard of living of residents of the state.

In reciprocating the kind gesture of the state, Musunga said, “Over 100 women in Edo State have been empowered through the Guinness Nigeria Plan W empowerment programme for women.

“Beneficiaries in this programme are given seed capital, start-up assets and trained in basic business and accounting skills to run their trade.

“The Plan W empowerment programme is part of our tactical deployment under our diversity and inclusion programme with over 900 beneficiaries across Nigeria.”

He added that “We have plans to expand our investment in Nigeria. Against the backdrop of rumours that Guinness is planning to leave Nigeria, we have recently committed millions of dollars to our plants across the country including the one in Benin so we can create more jobs and contribute our quota to the socio-economic growth and development of Nigeria and the people.”

According to the statement, Obaseki, in his speech said his administration was working nonstop to improve the economic environment in the state for investors.

Obaseki noted that, “As a government, we are encouraging people to come and do business in the state, we are putting a transport hub together, we are building parks to organise transportation.

“In terms of skills and capacity building, we are getting our young people trained in skills and technology. From the government side, we are ensuring that we grow our Gross Domestic Product significantly.”

He urged the Guinness Benin factory to use Western Boys High School as a Technical and Vocational Education Training center, stating that his administration was serious about skills and capacity building.