The Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr Raymond Asemakaha, has disclosed that the state’s current beer consumption is estimated at over N1 billion monthly.
According to him, the company aims to combat capital flight and increase the GDP of Benue State through the local production of the popular beer, assuring that construction work on the permanent site for the ZEVA Premium Lager Beer will be completed by June 2025.
Dr Asemakaha, who made the disclosure while flagging off the commencement of sales of the second batch of Zeva Beer and Oyi Bitters to vendors in Makurdi, also said its completion would create about 1,000 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs for Benue youths.
“BIPC seeks to stimulate economic growth and create a positive impact on the community”, he stated.
He explained that a strategic marketing plan, in collaboration with Oyi Bitters, produced and packaged by BIPC, is being implemented to generate demand and value for the product, benefiting vendors and contributing to poverty reduction in the state.
“By keeping money within the state and supporting local businesses, BIPC hopes to usher in a new era of development and prosperity for Benue State”, Asemakaha declared.
On his part, the Managing Director, ZEVA Premium Lager Beer, Mr Emmanuel Adoje, described the product as a unique recipe ranking second to Heineken as one of the leading brands among class ‘A’ beer in the country.
Adoje said that the brand, which is made from Malt, Cassava, Sorghum, and Barley, is not only made with high-quality ingredients but also has medicinal properties.
“In our beer testing and certificate of analysis that we have done, this beer came second to Heineken, while Budweiser came third in the ranking. The certificate of analysis when we checked all the parameters is correct, and I can assure you that ZEVA is one of the leading brands among class ‘A’ beer in the country”, he said.
The Managing Director of ZEVA Brand Premium Lager Beer believes that feedback on the product has been positive, comparing it to top brands like Heineken and Budweiser in terms of quality and that the packaging template is now ready for production.
He explained that the beer will only be available in cans for now to avoid competitors crushing the bottles in the market, pointing out that despite this limitation, the beer offers high quality at a relatively cheaper price point.
Judith Iyoh writes fashion, lifestyle and real estate investment.