Business
Coca-Cola announces plan to invest $1bn in Nigeria
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company says it will invest $1 billion in Nigeria over the next five years.
The investment commitment was made during a meeting with Coca-Cola’s global leadership team, including John Murphy, president and chief financial officer, and Segun Apata, chairman of Nigerian Bottling Company.
Reacting to the development in a statement on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu commended Coca-Cola for its long-standing partnership with Nigeria and for employing over 3,000 people across nine production facilities.
Tinubu said the investment highlights his administration’s commitment to creating a robust financial system and a business-friendly economy.
The president spoke in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, his special adviser on information and strategy.
“We are business-friendly, and as I said at my inauguration, we must create an environment of easy-in and easy-out for businesses,” the statement reads.
“We are building a financial system where you can invest, re-invest, and repatriate all your dividends. I have a firm belief in that.”
Tinubu said private sector partnerships are crucial to his government’s reforms aimed at improving the business environment.
He pledged to continue to support Coca-Cola for expanding its investments in Nigeria and addressing environmental issues, including climate change.
Murphy, speaking on Coca-Cola’s impact in Nigeria, said the company generates ₦320 billion annually through nearly 300,000 customers and contributes almost ₦90 billion in revenue to the Nigerian government.
“We are very proud of the growth of the business over a long period and its impact on the daily lives of many Nigerians,” he said.
Zoran Bogdanovic, CEO of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, attributed the company’s $1 billion investment pledge to its confidence in the Nigerian government’s policies.
“Mr President, in your inaugural address, we were very pleased to hear of your invitation for foreign investors to invest and your assurance that foreign businesses can repatriate dividends and profits,” the CEO said.
“That assurance gives us the confidence to continue our investments. Since 2013, we have invested $1.5 billion in Nigeria in capacity expansion, transformation of our supply chain infrastructure capabilities, training and development.
“I am very pleased to announce that, with a predictable and enabling environment in place, we plan to invest an additional $1 billion over the next five years.”
Bogdanovic said Nigeria’s potential is tremendous, pledging the company’s commitment to work with the government to realise it.
In November 2021, the beverage manufacturer had plegded to inject $1 billion into Nigeria’s economy.
Business
APPLY: FIRS begins recruitment of senior managers, directors
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has begun its recruitment exercise for experienced professionals to fill specialised positions in the organisation.
Announcing various vacant roles on Monday, the FIRS said the recruitment exercise is part of its consolidation strategies.
The advertised positions include assistant manager and deputy manager roles in tax (investigation), PRS (research), public relations, and ICT (cybersecurity and AI management).
Other available roles are assistant manager and deputy manager in PRS (risk management), assistant manager and deputy manager in legal, and senior manager and assistant director roles in tax (audit).
“Applicants must have qualifications and relevant professional certificates as specified in the positions they are applying for and must also fulfill the following requirements,” the agency said.
“Applicant must possess Bachelor’s degree/HND with at least second class lower/lower credit.
“Applicant must have completed NYSC not later than 31st December 2017.
“Applicant for the position of assistant manager and deputy manager must not be more than 40 years of age while senior manager and assistant director must not be more than 45 as at 31st December 2024.”
The revenue agency said candidates must possess strong leadership and management skills, team spirit and ability to effectively delegate, interpersonal and communication skills, and strong Analytical skills.
“Knowledge of the Nigerian tax laws and appreciation of their application and understanding of the regulatory framework within which the FIRS operates,” the FIRS said.
“Knowledge of business/industry environment within which taxpayers operate.
“Ability to work as a regulator with the courage to ensure full compliance with laws.
“Interested candidates should apply via official FIRS career portal: careers.firs.gov.ng and or FIRS verified social media handles.”
The FIRS said the application portal will open on December 23, 2024, noting that the deadline for submissions is January 11, 2025.
The service advised applicants to carefully review the eligibility criteria before applying to ensure they meet all requirements and understand the qualifications needed for successful selection.
Business
UBA GMD calls for public-private partnership to accelerate economic growth
Oliver Alawuba, group managing director (GMD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of United Bank for Africa (UBA), has called for public-private partnership (PPP) to accelerate economic growth.
Alawuba spoke on December 20 during the launch of the newly renovated departure section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, refurbished by UBA.
According to a statement on Sunday by the bank, the project, which signifies a transformative moment in Nigeria’s aviation sector, shows UBA’s commitment to national development, highlighting the immense value of strategic PPPs.
The ceremony was attended by stakeholders, including Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, and Olubunmi Kuku, managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Alawuba commended the collaboration that led to the execution of the project, emphasising the need for public and private institutions to come together to build and revamp the nation’s assets.
“This renovation is a testament of UBA’s belief in the transformative power of investing in national assets. By modernising our airports, we not only enhance infrastructure but also position Nigeria as a global hub for tourism, trade, and investment,” he said.
“Public-private partnerships like this demonstrate what can be achieved when we unite for a shared vision of progress and investing in infrastructure catalyses economic growth, improves travel experiences, and creates opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
“The commissioning of the renovated departure section serves as a reminder of what strategic partnerships can achieve in driving national development and elevating Nigeria’s global standing.”
Business
Petrol to sell at N935/litre from today, says IPMAN
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has said that petrol is going to sell at N935 per litre beginning from Monday (today) based on the latest arrangement with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
IPMAN’s National President, Maigandi Garima, said the reduction in Dangote refinery’s ex-depot price for petrol and the uniform arrangement being put in place, would enable marketers to sell at N935 in their outlets nationwide, incurring a cost of N36 on logistics.
“Dangote refinery has brought another new arrangement of loading and pricing by which marketers would pay a fixed ex-depot price of N899.50k.
“The refinery is running a programme whereby it wants the fuel consumption across the country to be at the same rate. We are expecting the new arrangement to kick-start on Monday. Previously, the loading price was N970 per litre, but from Monday, petrol prices will drop to N935,” Garima stated.
The association also stated that over 30,000 of its members are set to commence petrol loading from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Port Harcourt Refining Company following the reduction of the ex-depot price of the product to N899 per litre.
This came as it was observed that the pump price of petrol dropped on Sunday to between N950 and N980 per litre in a few filling stations in Lagos including MRS, BOVAS and NNPC. However, the cost was above N1,000 per litre in many other outlets in the state.
But IPMAN promised on Sunday that the price would drop further, as it said the cost of petrol would reduce to N935 per litre in more filling stations by Monday (today) in view of Dangote refinery’s new arrangement.
Similarly, retail outlet owners under the auspices of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria have begun registration with MRS filling station to lift Dangote petrol at N935 per litre.
The IPMAN National Publicity officer, Chinedu Ukadike, and the PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed these during separate exclusive interviews with The PUNCH on Sunday.
The development came after intense pricing competition in the nation’s downstream sector, which triggered a price war between NNPCL and Dangote due to a reduction in the ex-depot price to N899 per litre.
On Saturday, the NNPCL, in a surprising development, slashed petrol prices by 12 per cent, to the delight of Nigerians and marketers.
This decision, coming days after the Dangote Refinery reduced its price to N899, was confirmed by the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria in a statement on Saturday.
Before now, petrol prices had consistently increased, causing customers to worry that the price hike might be sustained during the festive season.
The reduction in price to N935 in Lagos confirms projections by marketers and was exclusively reported by The PUNCH last Friday.
Providing further updates on the preparations for product lifting, the IPMAN publicity officer stated that marketers are getting ready to start loading petrol at a reduced price, as the national oil company has updated its pricing on the purchase portal.
Ukadike also said that the competition for market share between NNPCL and Dangote is beneficial for Nigerians because, in the end, it will reveal the true cost of PMS production and the expenses incurred in logistics.
According to him, the price war is central to a deregulated oil sector.
He said, “NNPCL has changed their price at their portal. It means that everyone who has access to that portal can be able to request and pay for products. Once you pay, you will called to the depot to pick up your products. Yes, they have changed the price on their portal.”
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