Nigeria: Consolidated Breweries plays a leading role in national economy

Consolidated Breweries Plc is set to play a leading role in the Breweries sub- sector in the Nigerian economy following its re- engineering and repositioning exercise, with Heineken International becoming a majority shareholder in the company, Vanguard informed on April 14.

The Managing Director/CEO Consolidated Breweries Plc, Mr. Nico Pinotsis disclosed this to newsmen at a pres conference held on April 11 in Lagos, saying “Listing to our consumers, it appeared that although our products and brands score very well, some elements that could be improved were identified. Using the local knowledge available in our organisation, and combining this with the expertise of Heineken International, who have been involved in Consolidated Breweries since 2000 and a majority shareholder since 2005, we are confident that we have addressed the points as signalled by the faithful user of our brand”.

He further disclosed that Consolidated Breweries ranks amongst the top three brewers in the Nigerian beer market, with the modern breweries run by professionals using top raw materials and stringent quality control standards. “It two brands 33 Export and Hi Malt rank amongst the most consumed brands in their respective segments” he added.

According to him “33 Export is no doubt a beer that satisfies and has a very large base of consumers. However, to further ensure our consumers’ satisfaction, we at Consolidated Breweries Plc continuously explore ways to enhance the quality of 33 Export in line with our consumers’ changing expectations”.

In his own speech, the General Manager Commercial, Mr. Philippe Elbez disclosed that the double three Export beer has been repackaged with the price remaining at N80.00 per bottle.

According to him “The aim of Consolidated Breweries has always been and will remain to offer all consumers in Nigeria a high quality product at affordable price. This renewal will not have direct implication on our sales price,. Our consumers will still enjoy the renewed “33" Export at the price they have always known”

Speaking he said that the renewed beer should lead to increase satisfaction of its current consumers and also attract new consumers in the market place.

Explaining the restructuring exercise embarked by the company, he said “During the last 12 months, we have run intensive consumer and market research. This showed clearly that during the last few years, the consumer perception and taste have evolved. In light of these findings, we have decided to review our “33" Export Brand mix to meet better new consumer expectations. The renewal of “33" Export has improved the brand proposition drastically. We believe it makes it the best value for money quality larger beer you can get in the Nigerian market”.

GTBank commences UK visa payment services

As part of the new procedure for visa applications from Nigeria to the United Kingdom (UK), visa documentation and application fees must now be processed through the new UK visa application centres and designated branches of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc nationwide.

Commissioning its new visa application centre in Abuja recently, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Grozny, noted that due to the high volume of visa applications from Nigeria, it was imperative that Her Majesty’’s government begins to rely on experienced and dependable service providers who would add value to its consular and visa operations in strategic commonwealth countries like Nigeria, whilst satisfying the needs of all categories of applicants and helping them fast track their application process. Guaranty Trust Bank will henceforth operate the cash collection counters for payment of visa fees at the five UK Visa Application Centres in Lagos (Victoria Island and Ikeja), Abuja, Ibadan and Port Harcourt. All visa applicants to the UK can therefore submit their documents and also pay their visa fees at these one-stop application centres, which are operated by Dana Services Limited in conjunction with VFS, a visa service company which also operates visa processing centres in several African, Middle East and Asian countries.

Meanwhile, 15 designated branches of Guaranty Trust Bank, for now, will also be able to receive and process UK visa payments for visa applications.

These branches are spread across various locations nationwide, namely: Lagos Island - Adeola Odeku Street and Adetokunbo Ademola Street branches in Victoria Island; and the Awolowo Road, Ikoyi branch. Lagos mainland - Opebi Road, Ikeja, Anthony Village and Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way branches in Ikeja. Abuja - Maitama and Wuse II branches. Other designated branches of the Bank where UK visa payments can be made are the Aba Road/Tombia Street branch in Port Harcourt; the Bodija branch in Ibadan, Oyo State; Murtala Mohammed Way, Kano branch; Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna branch; Ogui Road branch in Enugu; s Sapele Road, Benin branch and Effurun/Sapele Road branch in Warri, Delta State.

According to Grozny “ It is pertinent for visa applicants to know that they can only make payments at these designated branches of the bank; their application papers must still be submitted at any of the five UK visa application centres nearest to them. Additional Guaranty Trust Bank branches will be added during the course of the year to handle this service. With about 85 branches nationwide and various local and offshore subsidiaries in Ghana, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc is one of Nigeria’’s fastest growing and most successful banks”.

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