BY AMEH IDUJAGI, JALINGO – Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has approved N30 million for the payment of former employees and retirees of the defunct Nigerian Beverages production company limited.
Governor Ishaku, who announced this while speaking to the people of Kakara community during the presentation of report for the ex-gratia payment of backlog of salaries owed the ex-staff of the Taraba Highland Tea relocated in Kakara; Sardauna Local Government Area, said that the former employees who were identified by the committee would be paid their salaries and benefits.
He expressed delight that the Taraba Highland Tea has employed some of the state’s teaming youths, adding that with the company in Kakara, women and youths are gainfully employed.
Commenting on what his administration did to ensure enduring peace on the Mambilla Plateau, Governor Ishaku said the government was able to bring all the major tribes together, adding that the decision to create more chiefdoms in the state has given each tribe a sense of belonging.
Ishaku warned traditional rulers against arbitrarily sales of plots of land within their domains, stressing that government will deal decisively with any royal father who go against government directive.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Taraba Investment and property limited, Mr. Iliya Ezekiel, said the Mambilla Beverages Nigeria limited is a private liability company with the mandate to carry out the business of developing, manufacturing and marketing of tea, coffee and other forms of beverages.
Ezekiel said the company came into existence after the collapse of the defunct Nigeria Beverages production company limited in 2015.
According to him; “The revival and repositioning of the company was largely due to the magnanimity and exceptional leadership qualities of Governor Darius Ishaku”.
Ezekiel said that the company employed a total of 3, 000 indigenes of the state and over 2,000 farmers in the 27 communities through the company’s out growers’ scheme and distributor nationwide.
