The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) is indisputably making positive strides that are taking it to higher heights and changing the lives of many Sierra Leoneans.
In an apparent demonstration of continued growth in its chain of producing alcoholic and non- alcoholic beverages, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) recently commendably ventured into introducing, for the first time, canned drinks such as Star Beer, Guinness, Mutzig, and Maltina. The production of these favourite drinks in cans is being successfully rolled out across the country since it was officially launched on Thursday 20 September 2018 at the company’s headquarters in Wellington in the East End of Freetown.
The vast majority of Sierra Leoneans have admirably commended the Managing Director for the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Daaf Van Tilburg and its partners for taking such a bold step since the inception of the company in Sierra Leone some 57 years ago, Undoubtedly, Brewery has been supporting growth of the country’s economy and the people.
Spending over 200 billion Leones on the canning project is something which is highly impressive and clearly reveals how determined SLBL is to continue to contribute to Sierra Leone’s economic development.
It is worthy of note that out of that colossal investment , the Brewery procured state-of-the-art equipment to detoxify its waste water that is emptied into a stream nearby; fermentation tanks, canned packaging plant among other important machinery or components.
One good thing that has made SLBL stand out tall is its symbiotic relationship with sorghum farmers across the country. They have been able to patronize them to the extent that the number of sorghum farmers has increased exponentially within a short period from 10,000 to over 25,000. These farmers supply the raw material, sorghum that is mainly used in the production of some of its popular beverages. This has greatly helped in poverty reduction and is making it possible for Government to derive or mobilize revenue from the company.
With regards Brewery’s Corporate Social Responsibility, it is on record that it has been keeping up with its obligations and has been able to support the communities in its operational area in health care, sanitation, education and other sectors.
Brewery is indeed one of the few company’s operating within the country that have been praised by President Bio as is evident when the Management of SLBL paid a working visit to him at State House sometime last year,
The President thanked the Management team for holding the fort in the business community amidst trying times. He also assured them that his Government is open and ready to work with investors who had plans to boost the economy of the state.
Notwithstanding the fact that SLBL is a private manufacturing company one thing that stands out clearly is that the company has been timely honouring payment of taxes to Government and it falls under the bracket of being a Large Tax Payer to the National Revenue Authority (NRA). It is no secret that Government depends on mobilized revenue to implement various development projects and SLBL’s drive towards providing such has not only been timely, positive but shows that it is really here for serious business.
In a recent snap interview with the company’s Corporate Relations Manager, Albert Ojo Collier in his office at the Wellington Industrial Estate said: “We are quite aware of the various challenges that we are going through as a company but I want to assure all that we are highly determined to ensure that we expand on our existing production base in order to give our esteemed customers the best in terms of quality and affordable prices.”
He noted that SLBL will continue its good relationship with sorghum farmers right across the country and will ensure that it is strengthened by giving these farmers the necessary support and empowerment that they require in order to make sure that they deserve benefits from their farming activities. “This is in line with SLBL’s stance in enhancing the country’s Local Content Policy and we believe we are treading on the right path,” he underscored.
Most people are showering praises on SLBL for this latest innovative move of producing canned drinks which has made drinking safer in the sense that the risk of broken particles pints has now been hugely reduced.
SLBL is doggedly poised to roll out other creditable innovative ideas this new year and beyond that will definitely create a win-win situation for the company and its numerous customers.
