…demands apology, threatens legal action against newspapers
EMMANUEL SAMUEL, YOLA
Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Senior Staff Association chapter in Adama Beverages Limited, a firm belonging to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar located in Yola, Adamawa State, has denied allegedmass sack of staff, maltreatment of female workers and other sundry allegations reported against the company in some national newspapers recently.
FOBTOB has also demanded an unreserved apology from such newspapers or risk legal action.
The Association, in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Mr. Palke J. Bwalbumo and Secretary, Mr. Danjuma K. Audu, faulted the media reports, declaring them as libelous and aimed at tarnishing the good image of the company.
According to FOBTOB, “The malicious and deliberate allegations against Mr. Francis Vazheparambil cannot be swept under the carpet and we demand that the story should be retracted and apologies tendered to the company and its management. Failure to do so shall be met with immediate legal action.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there has never been any case of molestation of any female worker or anyone in the entire workforce.
“Concerning reports in a section of the media alleging that the management of Adama Beverages Ltd, producers of the popular Faro table water and beverages, engaged in unethical conducts inimical to industrial labour relations, we wish to state that the story in its entirety is fabricated lies aimed at tarnishing the image of our company and its management led by Mr. Francis Vazheparambil.
“Taking into cognisance that the so called “spokesman” of the company’s Union referenced in the story, Abdullahi Maigida Bello, is not an employee of the company, we are compelled as a responsible union to set the records straight.
“Despite deep economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there has not been any mass sack in Adama Beverages and no staff is owed salaries, as all wages are paid promptly.
“The union rejects the claim that there was a blockage of roads and vehicular movement within the precinct of the factory as reported.
” The union called for the withdrawal of all fallacious publications against our CEO, Mr. Francis Vazheparambil, whose sterling leadership has impacted positively on the company.
“The union also calls for the withdrawal of all false newspaper report against the organisation as a whole. We are proud of the organisation as well as the management.