NIGERIA – Nigerian Breweries plc has commissioned its new N18 billion ultra-modern Aba brewery expansion in Abia State, targeting 279,000 jobs.
Nicolaas Vervelde, managing director, Nigerian Breweries, says as Nigeria’s pioneer and leading brewing company, the commissioning is, in a sense, an opportunity to showcase another example of Nigerian Breweries’ long-standing and continuing commitment to ‘Winning with Nigeria’ through our investments, our footprint, our people and our socio-economic impact.
The journey which commenced with the registration of our company in 1946, continues today with a footprint of 11 breweries and two malting plants strategically spread out across Nigeria, Vervelde says.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the minister of trade and investment, Olusegun Aganga, discloses that Nigerian Breweries has restated its unshakable resolve to power and support the economic developmental goal of Nigeria with the investment of N18 billion through the expansion of the Aba brewery.
He says that it is also a clear indication that Nigeria and Abia State are safe for business having created over 279, 000 direct and indirect employment for Nigerians, which include thousands of farmers. Eighty Five (85%) per cent of this is attributed to direct production.
He commends the management of the company for the laudable project, saying this cannot be taken away from what contributed to the listing of the company as one of the top 100 companies in Nigeria in 2014. “The project is also a reflection of our future as a nation,” he says.
The event, which was a reflection of the company’s relationship with the people of the state, was also attended by the Governor of Abia State Theodore Orji; member of the House of Representatives representing Aba North and South, Hon. Uzor Azubuike; secretary to the state government, commissioners, aervice chiefs, traditional rulers and key distributors.
In his remarks, the governor states that the project shows a perfect partnership between the government and private investors owing to the tangible achievement of his administration in fighting insecurity in the state.
He enjoins the people of the state to continue to support the company as this expansion will enhance direct and indirect employment, increase revenue generation while further assisting in the improvement of the standard of living of the people.
In his comments, chairman of the company, Kola Jamodu, states that the expansion project reflects the company’s bold confidence, not only in Abia State and the entire Eastern Nigeria, but in Nigeria as an investment destination.
“Our company started business in 1946 in Lagos as Nigeria’s first brewing company. In 1949, the first bottle of Star beer was produced. Aba brewery was commissioned in 1957 and today starts another milestone in our company’s socio-economic developmental journey with Eastern Nigeria.”
He adds that over the years the company has been very active in supporting Nigeria’s national development aspirations. This is exemplified by its continuous identification and response to major challenges confronting the Nigerian nation through corporate social investments, especially in the areas of education, environment, water, youth empowerment, talent development and sports, amongst others.
February 2, 2015; http://businessdayonline.com/2015/02/nigerian-breweries-opens-n18bn-aba-brewery-expansion/#.VNBDKi6-PIU
