The Imo State Government has urged the management of Nigerian Breweries to employ more qualified indigenes to compensate the enabling environment it has created for corporate businesses to thrive and to actualise government’s policy thrust on industrialisation and job creation.

Governor Rochas Okorocha stated this while receiving the Corporate Affairs Adviser of the Nigerian Breweries (NBL) Plc and his team at the Government House, Owerri.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sir Jude Ejiogu, said the establishment of the Nigerian Breweries Plc plant at Awo-Omama was apt, especially now that government is poised to transform the State into the China of Nigeria.

He thanked NBL team for their contributions in developing the state through their corporate social responsibility and urged NB and other existing companies in the state to map out certain quota of employment opportunities for Imo graduates who are qualified in relevant fields, while assuring them that government would beef up security in Awomamma and its environs as well as help the company stabilise its operations.

“Imo youths are knowledgeable enough, this is our opportunity to get them gainfully employed,” he said.

Okorocha recalled the high level of insecurity in the state during the PDP administrations which has become a history as the Rescue Mission has beefed up security of lives and property in the State, making Imo “a safe and peaceful place for investors.”

He promised to make a tour of the Nigerian Breweries in the State and assured them of government’s continued partnership as he added, “Imo government will benefit in IGR increase and we shall help your company stabilise.”

Earlier, the Corporate Affairs Adviser of the Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufere Ekanem, said their visit to the Imo State Government House was to intimate the government of the operations of the company as well as strengthen the relationship between the government and the company since its merger with the Consolidated Breweries at Awo-Omama, makers of 33 bear and Hi-malt.

Mr. Ekanem related that Nigerian Breweries has had a long standing relationship with the South-East which dated back to 1957 with a site location in Aba, Abia State and one of the biggest Breweries at Amah in Enugu State.

While informing the government that the Awomama Brewery was being scaled-up to a world class, Mr. Ekanem revealed that the company was expanding in infrastructure and corporate social responsibility with the provision of solar water system and school within and around the host community.

He called for a sustainable partnership with the government, saying “We operate in a very peaceful community and we are happy, safety is job number one and we know the Owelle Okorocha administration will continue to sustain peace and security in the State.”.

•Photo shows Governor Okorocha.