Category: Industry

Industrial establishments that generate liquid and effluents are supposed to integrate into their system, a sewage plant management plan before the government can issue them approvals, the President, Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Mr Steve Onu, has said.

Onu, who spoke to The Nation in Lagos, decried the reckless discharge of waste water and effluents into the environment, saying that it throws up health issues in the environment.

He argued that commercial and industrial development  is not different from residential development, insisting  that in each case, there should be  adequate physical planning measure where  an industrial layout is looked at in totality  and  essential services  adequately  provided to take care of the stress  of providing  them from the industry operators.

He encouraged the government to ensure that solid and liquid wastes from companies are treated adequately before being allowed into the municipal sewage system. The NITP president asked for adequate mapping and zoning of industrial areas because, according to him, all human activities revolve around the use of land.

Consequently, he called for equitable use of land, adding that the  first thing to do is digital mapping of zones to know what kind of industries that can be cited  to ensure  that there is safety of lives and property.

According to him, unplanned development is expensive in the long run because people will locate industries or housing estates without sufficient plan for quality roads, electricity, water and sewage management. He said when the government realises the mistake, it will come back to demolish the buildings, creating losses for businesses.

The NITP president said in the United States of America (USA), before anybody applies to build a house, such a person will seek permission and before it is approved, the responsible government agency will confirm if the sewage, electricity and water board can accommodate the housing or industrial facility.

Grand Oak Limited, the largest and oldest spirit and distilling company in the country, has launched into the market the Cool Twista range.

Its Managing Director, Mr. Akshay Kumar said the new product will enable the innermost desire of the upwardly mobile customers to stand out and be different by adding a positive twist to their day.

He said the company has invested in one of the world’s latest technology based on their unflinching belief in the consumer and partners.

Kumar said their drinks now come in trendy, portable, easy to dispose, tamper proof with body and bounce to add a twist to the day of the consumer. He said the superior packaging and technology employed make it impossible for the products to be faked.

On some of the innovations on the products, he said they have introduced pet bottles which make it cheaper and easier for the target audience to afford it, though the company preaches responsible drinking among the youth.

The Category Manager, Mr. Charles Nnochiri said the innovations are to suit lifestyles and the changing times in product innovation. He said consumers will, henceforth, enjoy a new drinking experience in sachets and pet bottles that complement their style and pockets.

The night was filled with fun. Those who otherwise would not taste liquor, had some.

The tobacco industry has generated more than $187million for governments in West Africa, Group Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, British American Tobacco (BAT), Mr Kingsley Wheaton has said.

The revenue, he said, was from income tax, excise and Value Added Tax (VAT) on tobacco products sales last year.

In a statement, Wheaton said globally, the industry generates about $200 billion through tax.

He said the global black market for tobacco accounted for 660 billion cigarette sales in 2012, equivalent in volume to the world’s third largest multinational tobacco company.

“The reality is that people will continue to smoke. But instead of buying legal taxed cigarettes, made by legitimate tobacco companies and sold by reputable retailers, they’ll turn to black market sources to get what they want.

“The tobacco industry is highly regulated, sells a legal product and we have a legitimate business. We conduct our business in a professional and responsible way, abiding by the laws in all the countries we operate in, often going above and beyond our legal obligations.

“Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the sophisticated network of criminals ready and waiting to step-in and take over if the legitimate tobacco industry didn’t exist.”

“It is not a victimless crime. Illegal tobacco is sold by well-organised criminal gangs, some of whom have recognised links to terrorism,” he said.

He said in 2012, BAT alone invested £171million in research and development activities, adding that the company has offers contracts and benefits to 140,000 farmers they have direct relationships with.

According to him, BAT makes a long term commitment to sustainability; strives to bring reduced harm products to market; continues to fight the illegal tobacco trade; generates excise revenue; and provides employment and enhanced livelihoods to hundreds of thousands of employees and suppliers.

“We create jobs and support business in West Africa through our own workforce and through entrepreneurs and employees involved in our supply chain. Our development of the industry has led to economic opportunities for hundreds of thousands of West Africans; from the workforce of our distributors, wholesalers and retailers, to suppliers of materials such as tobacco leaf farmers, and providers of services such as haulage,” he said.