Nigerian Bottling Company, makers of the Coca-Cola and Fanta brand have announced plans to build a new production facility in Okigwe, Imo State.

The company’s Head of Public Affairs and Communications, Uzo Odenigbo, said that NBC was currently following laid out plans to double production capacity in the country by 2020.

He added that while some of their facilities in Nigeria were being upgraded, a new plant would be built in Imo.

He said that the existing facility in Imo state would be significantly enhanced, hence the need to drive “momentous investment into its operations and site a world-class, state-of-the-art factory in Okigwe.”

“When completed, the facility will be the biggest NBC manufacturing and warehouse site in the country, supporting other existing production lines to deliver more to yearning customers and dealers in the Eastern part of the country and beyond in an environmentally sustainable way, he said.

“Demand for our products is high, and in a bid to meet up with the sales projection trajectory in a very competitive environment, more production lines will be installed, most of which will be in our new Okigwe mega production facility.”

He also revealed that the company had been supporting the socio-economic lives of its stakeholders by providing employment opportunities and empowering communities where they operate.

He added that the company was partnering with communities on its shared value of youth development and women empowerment. “In this drive, we are collaborating with state governments to support female entrepreneurs with trade asset financing and business training for women entrepreneurs,” he said.