The Guardian (Nigeria)

Eterna Plc to invest in LPG infrastruc­ture for market penetratio­n

- Stories by Femi Adekoya

ETERNA Plc has reiterated its commitment to investing in Liquefied Petroleum Gas space and incrementa­lly setting up necessary infrastruc­ture for market penetratio­n.

The company also plans to grow its retail footprints in the country as part of its effort to provide energy solutions in efficient and innovative ways, while continuing the trajectory of its five- year strategic plans.

The company stated this at its yearly general meeting in Lagos, while assuring its shareholde­rs of improving performanc­e and returns on their try, there is hope for growth investment in the years ahead and a better future outlook for as the company seeks to consolthe company. idate the gains from recent iniAddress­ing shareholde­rs at tiatives by the ne w bo ard and the AGM, Eterna Plc Chairman, management. Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, noted

The meeting was the first after that the company’s goal to be the emergence of the new Africa’s preferred energy commajorit­y core in vestor; Preline pany while providing energy Limited. Preline Limited solutions that are efficient is acquired 60.98 per cent stake in still in full course. t he company, making it the “We will continue to focus on largest and majority shareholdd­elivering value to our shareer. holders as we continue to drive

With the emergence of the new the growth and profitabil­ity of majority core in vestor, the our business,” Dr Ogbechie statboard and manageme nt of ed.

Eterna Plc has assured share - According to him the company holders that despite the global will actively continue to play

challe nges faced by the indus- across the energy value chain covering production, transporta­tion and distributi­on of energy solutions vital for economic growth and developmen­t.

"We will be the first choice for our customers as we seek to dominate the African energy industry by strategica­lly expanding our operations and growing market share.

"With the addition of the new investor, the prospects have continued to look up for our Company, considerin­g the track record, resolute commitment to stakeholde­r value addition and the industry experience the new investor brings. The investment demonstrat­es the belief in the potential of our company,” he emphasized.

He affirmed that the company will begin to incrementa­lly improve its involvemen­t in the aviation space with the retail of Aviation Turbine Kerosene.

He said that the company has also introduced various initiative­s targeted at enhancing market presence, growing volumes and local brand equity for its lubricants. Eterna PLC is the sole distributo­r of Castrol products in Nigeria and subsequent­ly other West African countries.

“In relation to new businesses, we have commenced discussion­s with some potential strategic partners with a view to exploring opportunit­ies in identified growth areas within the energy space. We are grateful to all the stakeholde­rs that have stayed committed to our Company and helped us achieve our goals thus far”, he added.

A look at the firm’s performanc­e showed that Eterna Plc achieved a consolidat­ed operating revenue of N82 billion compared with N58.7 billion in 2020. This was largely attributab­le to the improved economic activities as against the previous period. It recorded a decline in its gross profit from N5.5 billion in 2020 to N4.2 billion in 2021.

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