The management of Nigerian Breweries (NBL) PLC has promised to maintain a healthy relationship with its host communities in the spirit of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
NBL PLC has its 33 brewery in the community; unfortunately, it was shut down over two years ago, due to what the authorities regarded as unavoidable reasons.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of NBL, Thibaut Boidin, during the inauguration and handover of keys to the two-ton/day Cassava Processing facility built by the multinational company to the monarch of Awa Omamma community in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Val Amanfo, on behalf of his community.
He disclosed that the plant, which is a Build and Operate facility, would yield N500 million in annual profit to the benefiting community.
In the event, which was attended by the representative of Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Rex Anunobi; the Special Adviser to the governor on Public Enlightenment, Prince Eze Ugochukwu, among others, Boidin said: “Today, we gather here to commission the Cassava Processing Plant, a project that’s dear to our hearts and a testament to our commitment to enriching lives and building a future of opportunities, particularly for our community.
“In response, we are pleased to introduce a transformative initiative: the establishment of a 2-ton/day cassava processing facility in Awa-Omamma. This project is designed to catalyse economic empowerment, creating multiple direct and indirect employment opportunities for local youth and residents.
“This facility is generating a projected annual revenue of N500 million.”
He informed that the company would continue to intervene in the areas of education, healthcare, access to clean water, COVID-19 support, security and economic empowerment, stressing: “Today’s event further demonstrates our unwavering dedication to spreading joy and enabling progress in our communities.”
He listed some donations the company had made to the host community, such as various sizes of transformers for electricity supply.
Speaking, the Imo State Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Rex Anunobi, expressed gratitude for the gesture extended to the community, appealing to the NBL management to re-open the “33” Brewery in the community, shut down over two years ago, and expressing the desire of the state government to assist the company with whatever challenges and concerns led to the shutdown.
He said: “Our stay today is a celebration with mixed feelings. Imo is a hub of economic activities. Whatever led to the shutting down of the Brewery here, those concerns and challenges should be addressed to enable this plant to come on stream; this giant establishment to come back to life. Whatever challenges and concerns, Imo State government will help you. We will partner and help you.”
In his response, after receiving the keys to the facility, the monarch, Amanfo, thanked NBL PLC for the gesture, promising that the community would help guard it jealously and use it at an optimal level.
