By Amin Kef Sesay
The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL), the nation’s premier manufacturer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, which includes Star Lager Beer, Salone Beer, Mutzig Premium Lager beer, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Maltina and Trenk Dark Malt Energy drinks is the proud recipient of a prestigious award on the 22nd January 2021, which in actual fact is a Certificate of Appreciation, bestowed on the company by the Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Protection Agency- Sierra Leone, Ibrahim Kabia, on behalf of his organization.
Presentation of the meritorious award took place at the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) Wellington Industrial Estate manufacturing plant and was graced by the company’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Albert Ojo Collier and his Deputy, Unisa Conteh and some officials of the Consumer Protection Agency because of the prevalence of COVID-19.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Protection Agency, Ibrahim Kabia, they decided to award the company particularly because of its excellent performance in the execution or rolling out of enhanced Quality and Corporate Affairs, particularly that which has to do with the company’s outstanding execution of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
“ We do acknowledge the developmental activities undertaken by the Brewery over the years to expand and improve the quality of its products to meet international standards, creating jobs for Sierra Leoneans and supporting communities as part of its strong Corporate Social Responsibility programme,” the Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Protection Agency, Ibrahim Kabia revealed in his citation adding that their awards are designed to recognise the very best partners in the development of Sierra Leone as judged by Sierra Leoneans across the country.
He highlighted that as the umbrella entity that is representing and championing the interests, concerns and views of consumers right across the country they have been taking into consideration the plethora of commendations that dealers and consumers of the company’s products have been heaping on the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited for effective service delivery in addition to the company’s vibrant stance in not only producing standard drinks but in giving back to the community they are situated and even beyond evident in the provision of job opportunities, the construction of state of the art water wells, providing supports to schools, health facilities among a host of other assistances that the company had been rendering to communities.
Ibrahim Kabia furthered that the company has done a lot to improve the productive undertakings of sorghum farmers in the country as well as improving their welfare.
The Consumer Protection Chief Executive Officer stated that the methodology they used in arriving at the decision to award the Brewery was via conducting a perception survey by asking consumers to give their candid opinions about how they perceive the operation of the company. He said based on the feedback they received they thought it fit that the company should merit the award.
The Consumer Protection boss said residents within the Wellington Industrial Estate and even in other communities commended the company for the development interventions it has been making over the years saying such have improved their standards of living.
“Indeed, we are mindful of the positive comments that we have been receiving, especially from community residents , about the company’s pro-active stance in implementing its Corporate Social Responsibility and the affordability of the drinks it produces,” Kabia furthered.
He stated that they are working in sync with consumers and business people in order to identify and get rid of expired goods and counterfeit products on the market as well as recommend good products that are fit for consumption.
He said the Consumer Protection Agency-SL is apolitical and has a long history having been in existence under different political dispensations. He commended the Bio led Government for the strides they have made to transform the Consumer Protection Agency into a Commission which will come into force soon.
Receiving the award on the behalf of the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, the Corporate Affairs Manager of the company, Albert Ojo Collier expressed profound thanks and appreciation to the Chief Executive Officer and other officials of the Consumer Protection Agency for taking their time off their busy schedules to bestow on the company such a prestigious Award.
He stated that the company prides itself on producing qualitative alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages which many have attested they truly enjoy consuming.
Mr. Collier assured them that the company will not rest on its oars in giving back to society and they will continue to support the host community and other communities with water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in order to complement the efforts of the Government in deepening overall national development.
“Bagging this meritorious award will not in any way dwindle our zest and commitment to continue to vail our esteemed customers qualitative beverages as well as improving lives,” Albert Collier intimated and assured that though their operations is somehow affected by the global pandemic but they are still working efficiently.
It could be recalled that the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited was among corporate institutions that were awarded this year by the National Social Security and Insurance Trust for Compliance to the Social Scheme during a prestigious award ceremony that took place on Friday 11th December 2020 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown during the annual NASSIT Employer Banquet and Award Ceremony.
