Following the inferno that affected a section of the Nigerian breweries Aba, Abia state, AbIa State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has visited the company to ascertain the situation.
Conducting the governor round the affected area, the Brewery Manager, represented by the
Chief Engineer of the Nigerian Breweries PLC, Engr Benjamin Okore, repealed that the fire began around 3:20 p.m. on Thursday and made it clear that the affected area was not part of the main brewing plant.
Engr. Okore further explained that the company activated its emergency response immediately the fire was detected through deploying internal firefighting resources before seeking for external assistance.
According to him, the company is currently assessing the extent of losses, noting that the fire was extinguished before 6 p.m. with the support of fire agencies that fought to contain the inferno.
“The place where the fire incident happened is an open space, a lease facility by the Nigeria railway corporation. Empty crates without bottles were affected while this place that we are now is the main brewery, this is the main plant of the brewery.
“When the fire happened, an alarm was raised and we activated our emergency procedure. Our fire fighters were mobilised, our fire truck was mobilised and we used a fire hydrant and other fire fighting measures.
“We also called on the Abia State Fire Service and Federal Fire Service. There was so much team spirit and speed in action. They arrived on time and together as teamwork we were able to contain the fire completely.
“We thank God so much that no lives were lost, nobody was injured, we only had some empty crates without bottles that were damaged. Further investigation is ongoing to ascertain the root cause”, Engr Okore disclosed.
Speaking after inspecting the scene, Governor Otti commended the coordinated efforts of emergency agencies, especially, the professionalism of the Abia State Fire Service and expressed gratitude to God that lives were not lost.
While thanking God that the incident was not very severe, the Governor stressed the need for the sustenance of critical safety measures to combat unforeseen emergency incidents.
“Looking at that place, it’s probably the last place that you’ll expect to have a fire incident because it was just on its own, in an open field, so anything could have happened.
“It could be a match, it could be a cigarette or anything but you should be prepared like the boys scout will say while we pray it doesn’t happen again”, he cautioned.
Governor Otti, noted with nostalgia the longstanding presence of Nigerian Breweries Plc in the state and assured that his administration would continue to provide a conducive and enabling environment for the company to thrive.
“You have been here for almost seventy years and that’s good. All we owe you is an enabling environment for your business to continue to do well.
“This is a place (Abia) where all Nigerians gather and are working together. That is what the new Abia speaks about. Here we don’t have State of origin and we are all equal”.
Recall, as reported by Hanto Daily News, the Nigerian Breweries suffered some losses Thursday evening as the section where empty crates are packed, located at Ogbor Hill Aba, Abia State was gutted by fire.
The Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa was on hand to receive the Governor on arrival to the NBL premises.
