The return of Golden Guinea Breweries Plc and the subsequent introduction of their products into the Nigerian beer market, is a sign of good times for the economy of Abia State, governor Okezie Ikpeazu has said.
The Governor stated this on Tuesday, while receiving in audience the management of the firm, led by its chairman, Okey Nzenwa, on a thank-you visit to the Governor at the Government House, Umuahia.
Ikpeazu described the day as “his happiest in 2019”, stating that the return of the company and their famed Golden Guinea beer had both profound historical and economic significance for the people and economy of the State.
According to the Governor, the economic benefits accruable from the return of the company include the provision of brand new direct and indirect jobs, new markets, fresh capital inflow, and taxes to the state Government.
Ikpeazu noted that the company was the pride of the South East in the 1960s to the early 1990s before it went under.
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He paid glowing tributes to the vision of Michael Okpara, the late Premier of the old Eastern Region, who founded the company and thanked Okey Ezenwa, for his courage in ensuring that the dream of Golden Guinea is alive again.
Ikpeazu stated further that the people of Umuahia had a special bond with the beer, noting that when the brewery went under that the effervescence of Umuahia, disappeared and expressed happiness that the effervescence will return with full force.
“Beyond the impact of the product on Umuahia and Abia, the product bears special significance to the entire South East.
“I am thankful to God that this happened during my time as Governor, which explains why my administration gave every necessary support to the efforts to return the brewery to full production”.
The Governor assured of the relentless support of his administration to the company, noting that the people will happily embrace the product, as their own and prayed for the commercial success of the company.
The Governor assured that henceforth that Golden Guinean beer will be the first choice in the State before
Nzenwa, chairman, Golden Guinea Breweries Plc, had earlier told the Governor that they were at the Government House to officially inform him that the long process of retooling the company had been completed and that production and commercial sale of their products have started.
He thanked the Governor for his tireless efforts in seeing to the success of their efforts, describing the beer as “Ikpeazu’s baby”.
According to Nzenwa, “We wouldn’t have achieved this success without the support and relentless efforts of the Governor”.
He informed the Governor that the product, which has hit the market, is receiving huge commercial success.
The high point of the visit was the formal presentation of a crate of revamped Golden Guinea brand of beer to Governor Ikpeazu, by the Chairman of Golden Guinea Breweries.
