GOVERNOR UGWUANYI COMMITMENT TO INVESTMENTS, SECURITY IS EXCEPTIONAL - SAYS NEW NBI BOSS

As brewing company plans mega business expansion in Enugu.

The near Managing Director (MD) of Nigerian Breweries Plc (NBL), Mr. Hans Essaadi, has expressed delight at the commitment of the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to the protection of lives and promotion of investments in the state, describing it as exceptional.

Mr. Essaadi, who led the management team of the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria (NBL) to the Government House, Enugu, on a maiden courtesy call on Gov. Ugwuanyi, stressed that we are happy to note that Enugu State has progressively remained secure and peaceful under your leadership."

The NBL boss thanked the governor for "your unwavering support in providing an enabling environment for our business to thrive," pointing out that "this is reflected by the immense support we enjoy from your esteemed self as an invaluable bridge builder in establishing a sustainable relationship between us and our host community and more recently your remarkable intervention in the reopening of the Tiger Bar."

Assuring Gov. Ugwuanyi that we are committed long term investors in the state," the NBL MD disclosed that the company has been part of the story of industrial growth in Enugu State since 2003, adding that "over the years, we have grown the brewing capacity at our facility to 3 million hectolitres, making Ama Brewery the largest of our nine (9) breweries in the country."

Mr. Essaadi told Gov. Ugwuanyi that the company took a decision in 2019 to embark on a major capacity expansion and structural upgrade of its facilities to 4.8 million hectolitres in the first phase because of the milestone achievements they have recorded at the Ama Brewery as well as "the peaceful operating environment in the state under your leadership."

He revealed that NBL will subsequently upgrade the brewery to an ambitious capacity of 6 million hectolitres in the second phase with a total capital investment of N56 billion, saying "Your Excellency. I look forward to inviting you as our Special Guest of honour as we mark the completion of the expansion.