Melvin Onwubuke
International Breweries Plc, as it announced the conclusion of its yearlong Responsible Beverage Services campaign in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has emphasized the need to drink responsibly.
RBS, an initiative of AB InBev Foundation focused on discouraging harmful use of alcohol as well as alleviating alcohol-related harms such as drunk driving, underage drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol consumption by pregnant women, according to Thisday.
The initiative was able to deliver focused training to bar owners and managers in comprehensive sessions and also engaged local communities via initiatives like clean-up exercises.
There were also health sensitization sessions for pregnant women and those of reproductive age at selected health centers and educational institutions in Rivers State.
Overall, the project had a direct impact on approximately 9,667 persons in an estimated 101,663 people in target local government areas, which accounted for about 5 % of their total population.
In addition, tools and knowledge for the effective implementation of responsible beverage services were provided to more than 302 owners and managers of alcohol service establishments. About 387 servers, bar attendants, and security personnel were equally trained on RBS practices, resulting in improved service delivery in the hospitality sector.
In his remark, the Corporate Communications and Sustainability Manager, IBPLC, Taiye Tunkarimu, reaffirmed the vision of the initiative to promote healthy consumption.
He said, “Our commitment goes beyond making great products and profits; it’s about ensuring our products are consumed responsibly because we thrive when our communities thrive.
“We are satisfied with the outcome of this intervention where we have been able to train 689 people in the two years of running the program in Lagos and Rivers states. Our training initiatives are evidence-based and backed by an evaluation and monitoring system that helps us to record progress made.”
Speaking, one of the beneficiaries and hotel owner, James Ogunro praised the company for the skills acquired from this initiative, which would enable him to engage customers effectively.
