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.
Modestus Anaesoronye
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