The President, who was ably represented by The Secretary to the Government Of The Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha spoke yesterday at the official commisioning of the plant at flowergate in Ogun State.
The President said that the captains of industries should maximize the opportunities provided by the objectives and set goals of the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) and assured that the country is ready for business considering the responsiveness of the market for quicker and bigger returns on investment.
While expressing his assurance of the country’s readiness for business, he lauded International Breweries for being the sixth largest company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange with N265bn and its promise to create over 5500 jobs, adding that the investment in the world-class Brewery is as a result of the present administration’s core for increased Foreign Direct Investment.
“This is the sixth largest company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange with N265 billion and this plant alone worths over N90 billion. I believe that this investment in a world-class brewery is as a result of this administration’s core for increased Foreign Direct Investment.
“It also goes along to ensure a firm expression of your strong belief in the Nigerian economy, knowing that the impact on the economy will reverberate very fast by creating over 500 direct jobs and over 5000 indirect jobs across the country.
“This will also give a boost to the agricultural sector as the company partners with local farmers to produce over 30 tones of Sorghums and maize, as well as other raw materials.
“Similarly, other subsectors like the manufacturing and different entities around the value chain will experience positive change in their business pursuits” The President concluded.
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Speaking also, The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun beseeched the company to try and look at import substitution for its raw materials in order to develop the country’s economy.
“Try and look inwards when sourcing for raw materials. Try and look at import substitution and in any case, we will develop this economy” he said
Amosun, who received the company’s creativity of making liquid gas and solar panels with satisfaction, expressed optimism that the existence of the company would impact positively on the lives of the host community.
“When you talked about what you are doing the liquid gas and the solar panels, they are good reasons for my ears and this is what we want to see. We hope that the establishment of the plant in this vicinity will further enhance the socio-economic advancement of the lives of the host community.
Meanwhile, The Governor called on genuine investors, locally and internationally, to explore opportunities that the state offers, saying ‘our goal is to ensure that the environment is conducive for business to thrive.
The Chairman, International Breweries Plc, HRM Igwe Achebe encouraged the government to simplify taxation and licensing requirements, particularly at the state and local government levels to enable manufacturing concerns to thrive.
The Monarch explained that the manufacturing sector is a key enabler of the promotion of value chains and employment, adding that the company relies on policies and support of government to bring about evident transformation in the manufacturing sector.
The Global CEO, International Breweries Plc, Carlos Brito stated that the company would
ensure that no and lower beer products represents 20 per cent of its global beer volume by 2025 in order to sustain its effort of promoting smart drinking in the country.
Carlos added that the responsible consumption of alcohol and Harm reduction initiatives in Africa are aligned with the company’s global smart drinking goals, adding that they are founded on the company’s shared responsibility to possibly change behaviours through social norms and empower consumers through smarter drinking choices.
“Smart drinking is critical to our future and amongst other things, we are expanding our portfolio of no and lower alcohol beer products. We have committed to ensuring that no and lower alcohol beer products represent at least 20 per cent of our global beer volume by 2025.
“As a company, we have implemented a range of initiatives in partnership with private and public sector partners to address the misuse of alcohol and promote smart drinking. In Africa, we are focused strongly on promoting smart drinking and road safety” he said.
The Managing Director of the brewery, Annabelle Degroot said that the new brewery plant would provide 600 direct jobs and over 2000 indirect jobs over its value chain, saying “while direct employment is very important to us, the impact of its multiplier effect that our breweries and business has on the economy cannot be overemphasized”.
This was just as she pledged that the company would source its raw materials locally, impacting several other businesses that interact along the company’s value chain.
“Yearly, we buy over 30,000 tons of sorghum and maize and other raw materials locally. This will significantly increase with the coming on stream of this new brewery.
“We have also impacted positively the growth of several other industries that interact with us along our value chain.
“These manufacturers of crown corks, bottles, and labels as an example have benefitted from our steady and increasing patronage, enabling them to generate further employment.
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