Nigeria Bottling Company, NBC, packagers of the Coca cola soft drink brand, said it paid N33.5 billion in taxes between 2008 and 2014 and plans to increase production capacity by 2020.

Mr. Uzo Odenigbo, Head, Public Affairs and Communication disclosed this to newsmen while giving overview, stating that the company has about 950 suppliers of which 90 percent are local contractors who are in the Small Medium Enterprises, SMEs category. He stated also that the company which commenced operation in 1953 today operates 12 bottling plants and has 50 plus distribution partners of which 70 percent are women entrepreneurs.

Odenigbo went on to say that NBC has a combined land area of 151 sq kilometres, with 893 manual distribution centres, 555 dealers, whilst providing livelihood for 15 million Nigerians.

Speaking further the communications head stated that the company connects with communities on its shared values plant form by providing portable water and reduction in process water usage between 2004 and 2015 by 54 percent.

The company,  he noted empowered Niger Delta youths with skills acquisition scheme, while  in 2011,  8,000 students benefitted from its public private schools back to school items and upgraded infrastructure in adopted schools in partnership with state governments.

The company said it has impacted business training skills on women entrepreneurs in its value chain, as it is also partnering with Lagos and Ogun state governments on the Coca cola 5by 20 initiative.