Nigerian Breweries Plc has been listed as one of the highest tax-paying companies in Nigeria and the highest in the manufacturing industry, with tax and duty payments of approximately N326 Billion over the last 5 years.
The Chairman, Board Of Directors, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kola Jamodu, stated this at the official commissioning of the Solar Power Plant Of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Ibadan Brewery Held recently.
“Since 2016, the Company (Nigerian Breweries Ibadan Brewery) has paid over N2 billion in employee taxes, levies and other duties to the Oyo State government”, he said.
He reiterated the Breweries commitment to Winning with Nigeria and playing its role as a responsible corporate citizen supporting government at federal, state and local levels.
Speaking further, he said, “Our Ibadan Brewery is very significant to our business, as it is the third largest brewery in Nigeria. Small wonder we decided to use it as the pilot to demonstrate our firm commitment to environmental sustainability by making a major financial investment to establish this solar power plant, which will help us reduce dependence on diesel and other fossil fuels”.
“I am hoping you would have learnt more about this truly innovative project, which is the first by any brewer in Nigeria. Ibadan Brewery is a world-class facilities first-hand. These are machinery, equipment and lines that have kept us at the forefront of the beverage sector as Nigeria’s biggest brewer since 1946”, he stressed.
“As we prepare to celebrate our 75th anniversary later this year, we are determined to continue to set the pace in innovation, ideas and integrity – attributes that we share with the government and people of Oyo State. We closely identify with the state anthem declaring that Oyo is a state of Pacesetters, (Asiwaju) and we are proud to be associated with you.
The Chairman thanked Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for his efforts in positioning the state as an investment destination and creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
“Indeed, our partnership with the state government has seen us invest hundreds of millions of naira in various community projects and social investments in the areas of education, health, access to potable water and environment”, he added.
Speaking in the same vein, the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries, Jordi Borrut Bel, stated that the solar power plant would provide 800MWh of power annually. “This means cleaner energy for us in Nigerian Breweries”, he said.
“This plant will also ensure cleaner air for the people of Ibadan and Oyo State! Over the lifespan of this project, it is expected to reduce our carbon emissions from our Ibadan brewery by over 10,000 tonnes. This is a practical demonstration of our goal to ‘Brew a Better World’ by significantly reducing carbon emissions from our production sites by 2030”, stated the MD.
Speaking further, he said, “of course, while our ambition inspires us, it is ultimately our actions that will define us. This is why I am pleased to announce that plans are underway to expand this project, as well as commission similar solar power plants in ALL our breweries, starting this year with the Aba brewery, Ama brewery in Enugu and the Lagos Brewery”. This is a win for Nigeria!
Being the market leader according to him brings with it greater responsibilities to your staff, your customers, your shareholders and also the communities where you operate. “We are not only interested in being Number one in Sales and profitability. We also want to be number one in environmental sustainability – ensuring that the communities where our breweries are located benefit from our operations in the best possible way”.
“Apart from developing renewable energies to ensure cleaner air, we are also investing heavily in ensuring cleaner water for our communities. As such, we have taken great pains to build a state of the art, waste water treatment plant in our breweries to ensure that we do not cause water pollution. All wastewater produced from the brewery are properly treated and monitored in line with regulatory requirements before they are discharged, making them safe and not harmful to acquatic life and the environment in general.
“We have also donated $20,000 to support the baseline studies on desilting/dredging of the Asejire dam in partnership with the State Government, UNIDO and other relevant stakeholders especially manufacturers sourcing water from the dam.
“We have taken these steps and more because we are a responsible corporate citizen, and we take environmental compliance obligations seriously. We want to be the leading sustainability and environmentally friendly brewer in Nigeria, and we are happy to partner with our host communities, relevant organisations and the government at all levels in maintaining a clean and healthy environment in our operating areas”, he maintained.
