By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Chief Minister, David Monina Sengeh, on Thursday 12th October, 2023 conducted an official visit to the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) facility located in Wellington, East End of Freetown. During the visit, SLBL made a fervent appeal for a favorable tax regime that supports local production of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in contrast to imports.
Laurent Bukasa Nsenda, the Managing Director of SLBL, expressed gratitude for the Chief Minister’s visit. He underscored that this visit provided an invaluable opportunity to showcase their substantial investments in expanding and enhancing their operations, reaffirming their dedication to serving as a partner for national growth.
He highlighted how SLBL’s investments expanded their production capacity and introduced state-of-the-art technologies, elevating product quality standards.
The Managing Director furthered that the company will continue to build upon this success and strive for even greater milestones as their investments and improvements are testaments to their commitment to excellence and remain steadfast in upholding those standards.
Chief Minister, David Monina Sengeh, commended SLBL for its substantial investments in improving product quality and availability. He emphasized the Government’s commitment to supporting private sectors contributions to citizens’ welfare. He acknowledged SLBL’s profound investment in local content, particularly in agriculture, human capital development, and alignment with the Government’s “Big 5” agenda.
Sengeh applauded SLBL for its resilience over the past 60 years, even during challenging periods such as war, Ebola and the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that the company continues to create jobs for approximately 15,000 people, directly and indirectly, significantly impacting the country’s economy.
Furthermore, he appreciated that the individuals behind these numbers are often women who cultivate sorghum, thereby supporting their families.
The Chief Minister also lauded SLBL’s emphasis on human capital development and also noted that the company invests substantially in staff training to equip employees with the knowledge and skills necessary for their roles.
Regarding taxation, Sengeh emphasized that when companies demonstrate transparency and actively engage with the Government, consensus can be reached on taxation.
Foday Daboh, Corporate Affairs Manager at Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, considered the Chief Minister’s visit particularly timely. He stressed the significance of the visit, especially as the Government is proposing a new Finance Act.
During the tour with the Chief Minister, Daboh highlighted the significant investments made by the company over the years, revealing SLBL’s commitment to the nation’s development. He noted that over its 60-year history in Sierra Leone, the company has been instrumental in empowering local businesses, fostering human capital development, and meeting growing consumer demands.
In 2019, SLBL invested €30 million to refurbish the company, which included mash filters and tanks to ensure the production of high-quality products. This commitment is evident in their annual €3 million investment in quality improvement and customer support.
Highlighting the company’s employment footprint, Daboh stated that the facility employs 150 staff, of which 144 are Sierra Leoneans and only six are foreigners. Additionally, 200 contractors are Sierra Leoneans, 2500 outlets owned by Sierra Leoneans benefit from SLBL, and 25,000 farmers, along with their families, supply local sorghum to the company. These statistics underscore SLBL’s dedication to empowering local communities.
In conclusion, Daboh informed that the company advocated for a tax regime that favors local manufacturers over importers and appealed for a tax framework that supports the local production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, reinforcing its commitment to fostering local industry.
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