Ishaku approves N30m salary arrears owed former employees of defunct beverages firm

Gov.​ Darius Ishaku of Taraba has approved N30 million naira for the payment of arrears to retirees of the defunct Nigerian Beverages Production Company Limited (NBPCL).

Ishaku made this known on Thursday while speaking to the people of Kakara community, during the presentation of a report on the payment of salary arrears and benefits owed to former staff of the company.

He said that the Taraba Highland Tea, situated in Kakara had drastically reduced the high rate of unemployment in the state.

The governor stated that the former staff of the company, who were identified by the committee, would be paid their arrears of their salaries and benefits.

“I am happy that Taraba highland tea today employs our teeming youths. With the company in Kakara, our women and youths are gainfully employed.

“And what my administration did to ensure permanent peace on the Mambilla Plateau has brought all the major tribes together,” he said.

The governor maintained that his decision to create more chiefdoms in the state had given each tribe a sense of belonging.

Ishaku,​ who warned traditional rulers against the sale of lands in their domains, vowed to deal decisively with any traditional ruler who flouted the directive.

On his part, Mr Ezekiel Iliya, Chief Executive Officer of the Taraba Investment and Property Limited,​ noted that the Mambilla beverages Nigeria limited was a private liability company with the mandate of carrying out the business of developing,​ manufacturing and marketing of tea, coffee and other beverages.

Iliya stressed that the company came into existence after the collapse of the defunct NBPCL, adding that its revival and repositioning owed a great deal to the exceptional magnanimity and support of Gov. Ishaku.

He said that the company employed a total of 3, 000 indigenes of the state and over 2, 000 farmers in 27 communities through its out grower scheme and distributors nationwide.

Our correspondent recalled that the governor had directed the management of the company to furnish him with a report on the current status of the company.