2,000 PEOPLE IN HANDENI TO BENEFIT FROM A WATER DAM SUPPLY PROJECT BY SERENGETI BREWERIES

Deputy Minister of Water, Eng. Maryprisca Mahundi (R) and Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) Managing Director, Obinna Anyalebechi (L), clap during the inauguration of Kwamaizi Water supply dam in Handeni district, which was constructed with funding from SBL. The handover of the water dam project was held over the weekend.

Deputy Minister for Water, Hon. Eng. Maryprisca Mahundi has commended Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) for its industrious support in bankrolling water projects that focus on the provision of free, clean and safe water to Tanzanians in water-stressed rural areas, which complements government’s efforts to increase the provision of clean and safe water in rural areas to reach up to 85% by 2025.

The Deputy Minister made the remarks on Friday in Kwamaizi ward, Handeni district, Tanga region during an event to handover a water dam project to Kideleko ward following the completion of the water project. The project’s implementation started in February this year in collaboration with WaterAid Tanzania and Ministry of Water as technical implementors with the financial support of Tsh 380,000,000 from SBL.

Speaking at the handover event in Handeni, Eng. Mahundi said the government is hard at work constructing, refurbishing and expanding water sources to improve the provision of clean and safe water in rural areas, hence what SBL has done is commendable because it complements the government’s efforts in addressing the shortage of clean and safe water in rural areas.

“I am delighted to see private sectors on the forefront in addressing pressing issues such as inaccessibility of clean and safe water in our communities, it is due to SBL’s commitment to water projects that Kwamaizi villagers will now have access to free, clean and safe water, I highly commend SBL for funding this project at the tune of Tzsh 380 million hence enabling a successful implementation of this projects in barely 5 months,” said Eng. Mahundi, acknowledged Water Aid, Handeni Trunk Main and RUWASA for overseeing the implementation of the project.

Speaking of ensuring the sustainability of the water dam, the Deputy Minister commended SBL and WaterAid for going even further to provide training on WASH-related issues to women in Kwamaizi to give them skills on how to manage the water dam which he said, complements the government’s program of protection of water catchments 2021-2035.

SBL Managing Director, Dr. Obinna Anyalebechi said, “The funding of Handeni project by our company is in line with one of SBL’s community program support pillars that focuses on water provision to communities deprived of the resource. Known as ‘Water of Life,’ the program aims to give back or replenish to the community the equivalent of every drop of water that our company uses in its operations. This year for instance, we’re duty bound to give back 87,000 cubic metres of water, equivalent to the total amount of water to be used across our three breweries in Dar es Salaam, Moshi and Mwanza,” said Anyalebechi.

He added, “We have gone an extra mile to fund the provision of Water and Sanitation (WASH) training to women beneficiaries around this area who are now well equipped with the knowledge required to use this project while ensuring it remains sustainable for many years to come.”

Meanwhile, WaterAid Tanzania Country Director, Anna Mzinga said, “SBL has been one of our key partners in implementing water projects across the country, their commitment to this course is admirable. Through our partnership, more than 2 million Tanzanians particularly in rural areas like Kwamaizi now have access to free, clean and safe water.” Kwamaizi dam water supply project is an example of what we have been doing for the past 40 years and what we will continue to do to achieve our mission. Our goal is to help unlock progress in people’s lives, communities and economies by making water, sanitation and hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere. That means building capacity in ways that last – prioritising sustainable systems, institutions and services. Between us, we have the commitment, experience, resourcefulness and connections to change millions more lives.

About SBL:

Incorporated in 1988 as Associated Breweries, SBL is the second-largest beer company in Tanzania, with its beer brands accounting for over 25% of the market by volume.

SBL has three operating plants in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Moshi.

Since the creation of SBL in 2002, the business has grown its portfolio of brands year on year. The majority stake acquisition by EABL/Diageo in 2010 has seen increased investment in international quality standards leading to greater job opportunities for the people of Tanzania.

SBL Brands have received multiple international awards, including Serengeti Premium Lager, Serengeti Lite, Pilsner Lager, Guinness stout, and Guinness smooth. The company is also home to the world's renowned spirits such as Johnnie Walker Whisky, Smirnoff Vodka, Gordon's Gin, Captain Morgan Rum, Baileys Irish Cream, and locally produced brands such as Bongo Don – SBL’s maiden local spirit brand and Smirnoff orange.

As for our Partners WaterAid Tanzania:

WaterAid is an international organization with a vision to ensure that all people in the world have access to safe water, good toilets and improved hygiene services by 2030. WaterAid works in 28 countries. WaterAid Tanzania started working in 1983 and successfully implemented various Water, Toilet and Sanitation projects in more than 11 regions. In addition, the organization has collaborated with the government and other development stakeholders and reached more than eight million people living in the peripheral areas of cities as well as rural areas.

For further information contact:

Rispa Hatibu
SBL Communications and Sustainability Manager
Tel: +255 685 260 901
Email: Rispa.Hatibu@diageo.com