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Gov Ishaku Want To Sell Mambilla Beverages – Group
From Nahum Sule, Jalingo
A group from the Mambilla Plateau in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State have expressed worry over Governor Darius Ishaku’s decision and approval to sell the Mambilla Beverages, producers of the Green Highland Tea.
Coming under the aegis of Kamkam Progressive Forum, the Group made their positions known yesterday through a Press Statement signed by Abdulrazaq K. Manuhi and Nuhu S. Tiki and issued to Journalists in Jalingo the State capital.
According to the Statement, the Taraba State Government does not hold shares in the Company it wants to sell.
Citing the Investment and Securities Act 2007, Companies and Allied Matter Act (CAMA), the Taraba State Government, the Statement noted, “has no shares in Mambila Beverages (Nig) Limited and cannot sell shares belonging to unconsenting individuals who own the company.”
The aggrieved group further urged the State Government to discard its plans and decisions of selling out the Company by “withdrawing the Advert and to institute an investigation, first regarding the ownership of the company, or in the alternative, publish the details of ownership immediately.”
The Group also disclosed that the owners of the Company at its incorporation, “has not changed” adding, “these individuals have not transferred their interests in the Bank to the Taraba State Government or to any other person”.
They suggested that the State Lawmakers would do better by “unraveling the circumstances surrounding the ownership and purported sale of Nigerian Beverages Production Co Ltd factory in the past, incorporation of Mambilla Beverages (Nigeria) Ltd, the plight of the workers who served since the NBPC days, and the current desperation by the Governor to convert the Company.”
Apart from urging the members to “investigate and inform Tarabans whether the current realities of the Government complies with the exact relevant laws governing the sale of the Company” the members, the the group stressed, “must know that they owe the people their mandate as House Members and must face the people with their deeds.”
It was observed that the Taraba State Government, through the Taraba Investment and Properties Limited (TRIP) recently advertised for Bids for the privatization of the Tea Company, the action which the Group decried.
The group said: “the owners of the Company at its incorporation, “has not changed” adding that “these individuals have not transferred their interest in the bank to the Taraba State Government or to any other person.
When contacted for comment, the Managing Director (MD), Taraba Investment and Properties (TRIP), Ezekiel Illiya, said plans to organize a Town Hall meeting where Tarabans will be allowed to air their views on the sale of the Company, is in the pipeline.
He also denied the allegations that the State Government has no share in the company, stating that the company which was formally liquified was bought over by the State Government.
Another explosion occurred at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.
This incident follows a similar explosion that shook the Trans Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell, in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area just hours earlier.
The latest explosion reportedly took place at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline deep within the forest, which transports crude oil to Brass in Bayelsa State.
While the explosion has not yet been officially confirmed, community sources reported seeing massive flames and thick smoke rising from the oil installation in the forest.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that she would investigate the incident but had not provided a response at the time of this report.
A video obtained by our correspondent displays a large fire burning in a remote location.
In a separate development, Ijaw youths blocked the Ahoada section of the East-West Road leading to Bayelsa State on Tuesday in protest.
The demonstrators, numbering over 100, carried placards in solidarity with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid his political dispute with the state House of Assembly. Some of the placards read: “We demand Wike’s dismissal as FCT Minister” and “Martin Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers have defected and lost their seats.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that the House had on Thursday last week, considered and approved the report of the House Committee on Finance which made some recommendations, particularly in controversial areas such as the Value Added Tax and inheritance tax.
While awaiting the Senate to similarly pass the bills, the proposed reforms are expected to be transmitted to the President for his assent in the days ahead.
Details shortly…
Two members of the house of representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, announced the defections in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Tuesday.
More to follow…