Nigeria: Nigerian Breweries’ plant goes full scale production

The multi-million naira Nigerian Breweries plant at Ameke Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, which was commissioned on October 24th 2003, has gone into full scale production, The Tide Online published on March 6. Nigerian Breweries is 54% owned by Heineken.

The Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, has said that the establishment of the multi-billion naira AMA Brewery plant by the Nigerian Breweries (NBL) was an attestation to the fact that the state is investors-friendly. Governor Nnamani stated this when he received the retiring president and Chairman, Executive Board of Heineken worldwide, Mr. Thong Ruys, who paid him a farewell visit at the Government House, Enugu.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Breweries, Dr. Festus Odumegwu disclosed this when he called on the Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani at the Government House, Enugu. Dr. Odumegwu, told the governor that the brewery plant which was the largest investment of the company outside Europe, was leaving up to expectation by contributing to the socio-economic development of the state in particular and Nigeria in general.

The NBL boss, also noted with satisfaction the cordial relationship existing between the establishment, the host community and Enugu State government, adding that the NBL is at home in the state. He therefore, thanked the governor for providing adequate security and very conducive economic atmosphere which made it possible for the plant to produce at one hundred percent capacity.

Eze Odumegwu, stated that the establishment of the brewery plant in Enugu State was a very wise decision it had paid off and expressed the hope that the cordial relationship existing between the state and company would continue to grow from strength to strength.

Receiving Eze Odumegwu and his entourage, the state Governor Chimaroke Nnamani restated his government’s determination to continue to provide the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.

Governor Nnamani said that his government was in pursuit of excellence and will always identify with men and women, who excel in their chosen careers. He described Dr. Odumegwu as a true son of Nigeria who had contributed in no small way to the socio-economic development of this part of the world.

Governor Nnamani, also used the occasion to congratulate him for the award of doctorate degree of business administration Honouring causa by the University of Nigeria Nsukka his alma mater, adding that it is a further demonstration that Eze Odumegwu is in pursuit of excellence and also an achiever.

The governor said that the people of Enugu State share his achievements and academic excellence and urged him to see the award as yet another opportunity to continue with his good works to the society.

The governor pointed out that the brewery plant, the largest of such investment by the multi-national company outside Europe, was a demonstration of the confidence and trust in the leadership of Enugu State by the international community. He described the AMA Brewery as one single investment attracted by his government that had helped to boost the economy of the state in particular and Nigeria in general.

The state chief executive stated that his administration was in pursuit of excellence just like the board and management of Heineken and NBL and therefore thanked Mr. Ruys for the successes recorded during his tenure as president of the multi-national company.

The governor noted with satisfaction the excellent relationship between the government and people of Enugu State, the host community and the NBL, which he said helped the establishment to produce at full capacity.

He used the occasion to associate his government with the successes of the Heineken and NBL and pledged that his administration would continue to provide a very conducive environment for the company to grow from strength to strength. He therefore wished Mr. Ruys a successful retirement and God’s protection in his future endeavours.

Earlier in his speech, Mr. Ruys described his visit to Enugu as a second home coming, as he was a recognised chief in Enugu State, and an opportunity to see the performance of the brewery plant in the state.

Mr. Ruys told the governor that he was on a farewell visit to the government and people of Enugu State and to thank them for their support and cooperation during the establishment of the AMA brewery plant. Ruys, accompanied by his wife, described the cooperation from the people of Enugu State to NBL as exemplary, adding that the establishment of the plant was a worthwhile venture.

The president of Heineken Worldwide had visited six other African countries, including Uganda, Burundi, South Africa, Namibia, Rwanda and Nigeria.

In a brief remark, the Managing Director and CEO of the Nigerian Breweries, Dr. Festus Odumegwu, described Governor Nnamani as a performing governor who by his vision and hardwork was able to attract a lot of private investments to the state. He therefore thanked him for his good works and cooperation with the NBL.

After earnings leap in 2005 Nigerian Breweries Ltd (NBL), in which Heineken owns a 54% stake, announced on March 3 that sales had come under pressure in the first three months of the year. “Volume was under pressure and that is the main challenge to be resolved in 2006,” the company said in a statement.

NBL has registered a 62% leap in net profit to NGN8.3bn (US$64.1m) for the year to 31 December. The brewer pointed to a series of cost-saving measures and greater efficiency at the company.

Nigerian Breweries Plc. the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria, was incorporated in 1946 and recorded a landmark when the first bottle of STAR Lager beer rolled off the bottling lines in its Lagos Brewery in June, 1949. This was followed by Aba Brewery, which was commissioned in 1957, Kaduna Brewery in 1963 and Ibadan Brewery in 1982. In September 1993, the company acquired its fifth brewery in Enugu. On April 9, 2001, It recently christened the AMA Greenfield brewery in Enugu; the largest in Africa. The brewery will be commissioned in October 2003. Thus, from its humble beginning in 1946, the company now has five operational breweries from which its high quality products are distributed to all parts of this great country.

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