Obi Attracts Another SABMiller---Distell Bottling Company To Anambra

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Governor Peter Obi has performed the ground-breaking of the multi billion naira Distell Bottling Plant at Ozubulu Industrial Estate.

  The N8.5b facility was another direct foreign investment attracted by Governor Obi’s administration this year bringing to over thirty billion naira the sum of foreign investment in the State this month.

 

The facility is a partnership between the State government and a South African beverage giant,  with the State providing ten percent of the total cost, which The Governor said was ready in the Bank.  Governor Obi said the State government was also providing the key infrastructure that will facilitate the venture,  including the ongoing N12b  Ozubulu-Atani road with three bridges which he said N6.9 billion naira had  already been paid to the contractor.

 

He explained that when completed the road would effectively link Onitsha Industrial Harbour area and Ozubulu Industrial Estate to further enhance their operations.  The Governor disclosed that more multi-national companies were concluding arrangement to invest in the State.  He urged the Ozubulu community to give the company all necessary cooperation, warning that government would not tolerate any form of distraction that would slow pace of work on the project.

 

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Richard Ruston said they would commence construction as soon as all regulatory issues had  been dealt with.  According to Mr. Ruston, the products would include cedars and non alcoholic beverages including home grown Nigerian brands. He said the facility would create employment opportunities from the construction to production stages to the indigenes of the state.

 

He explained that the company chose to site the facility in the state because of its investment-friendly climate, Governor Obi's strong leadership and the success of other companies operating in the State.

Speaking the Anambra State Commissioner for Housing, Engr. Patrick Obi said called on the people of the State to be thankful  to Governor Peter Obi. He said the project and similar projects in the State were successful because of his commitment and interest. The Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Investment, Mr. Mark Okoye and that of Project Monitoring, Arc Chinelo Ofoche spoke likewise. Earlier, the Governor led the South-African investors to pay a courtesy  visit to the Igwe of Ozubulu, HRH  Igwe Nnamdi Oruche, who pledged the support of the town to Governor Obi in his bid to attract a lot of foreign investors to the State.