Atiku’s Beverages Firm Denies Mass Sack, Molestation of Female Workers

By Emmanuel SAMUEL, Yola

The Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) of Adama Beverages Ltd on Friday denied the massive sack of staff, maltreatment of female workers and other sundry allegations as reported in some national dailies.

Adama Beverages, located in Yola, Adamawa State, is one of the companies belonging to former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The union, in a statement co-signed by the chairman, Mr. Palke Bwalbumo and the Secretary, Mr. Danjuma Audu while faulting the said news item in its entirety said it is libellous and aimed at tarnishing the good image of the company.

“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 labor 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.”

According to the union, “Taking into cognizance 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 vehicle movement within the precinct of the factory as reported.

” The union called for the withdrawal of all fallacious publication against our CEO Mr. Francis Vazheparambil whose sterling leadership has impacted positively on the company.

“The union also called for the withdrawal of all false newspaper report against the organization as a whole. We are proud of the organization and also the management.