Nigerian Breweries Plc, on Wednesday commissioned its upgraded Ota, Ogun State brewery plant, as it seeks to consolidate its leadership position in the industry.

The well-attended ceremony witnessed the unveiling of a new PET line, a Water Treatment plant and a Waste Water Treatment plant, among twenty-one other infrastructural upgrades.

The event was graced by the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was represented by Chief Abraham Idowu Akanle.

Speaking at the event, Chairman, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Chief Kolawole Jamodu, stated that the multi-billion Naira PET line which is the best technology in the HEINEKEN group was installed to increase capacity on the non-alcoholic product portfolio of the company.

He added that the modern water treatment plant was constructed to ensure the continued excellent quality of the company’s brands while the waste water treatment plant further contributes to the success of its sustainability agenda of “Brewing a Better World”.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State receiving a bouquet of flowers as he arrived for the commissioning of the upgraded Ota Brewery on Wednesday. With him are the Chairman, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Chief Kola Jamodu (second left); Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, (first from left) and Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry

L-R: Chief Kola Jamodu, Chairman, Nigerian Breweries; Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Executive Governor, Ogun State and Chief Abraham Akanle, representative of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the commissioning of the upgraded Ota brewery on Wednesday

“These investments, totaling over N11bn standout as a testimony to our corporate philosophy of winning with Nigeria and they reflect our company’s bold confidence in Ogun State and Nigeria as an investment destination.”

Also speaking at the occasion was the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who congratulated the company on the successful upgrade of the brewery, which he described as an enviable step capable of facilitating a self-dependent economy.

The Governor thanked Nigerian Breweries for its backward integration and local sourcing of over 50% of its raw materials and 95% of its packaging material.

“It will be in our collective interest for companies in Ogun state and even the entire country to source their materials locally. Backward integration and import substitution is the master key to a self-sustaining economy,” the Governor said.

He promised that Ogun State will continue to provide necessary conditions for business to operate smoothly in the state.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was represented by Chief Abraham Idowu Akanle congratulated Nigerian Breweries, describing the private sector as the engine room of economic growth and called on other corporate organisations to follow the fruitful example of the company.

Nigerian Breweries acquired Ota Breweries from Sona Breweries in 2011, and since then has invested significantly to upgrade the facilities at the brewery to world class standards befitting a brewery in the Heineken group.