Senate moves to reconcile Rite Foods, Seven-Up, gives two weeks for reconciliation report

The Senate has given Seven-Up Bottling Company PLC and Rite Foods Limited two weeks within which to settle their differences.

After a close-door meeting with the leadership of both firms yesterday in Abuja, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions disclosed that Senate’s interest was to ensure that they continue to play their roles in the country’s economy.

Chairman of the Committee, Ayo Akinyelure, said it is desirable to have the two firms continue to grow and carry out their businesses in a manner that would be beneficial to Nigerians.

He also disclosed that both firms were advised to stay away from Court and the media in resolving their issues.

Following the petition of the lawyers of Rite Foods Limited against Seven-Up and its MD/CEO, Ziad Maalouf, for alleged threat to the security and existence of Rites Foods Ltd, Ososa, Ogun State, the matter was referred to the Senate Committee for investigations and further legislative action.

Accordingly, a Public Hearing of the Senate Committee was scheduled for Monday. However, before the issues concerning the two could be raised at the public hearing, the Senate committee took them to a close-door meeting where it was decided that both should be given two weeks to resolve their differences and report back to the Senate.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Akinyelure said, “We have been able to sit the two management together, because we believe that the issue is a matter that can be resolved amicably through the instrument of alternative conflict resolution that will bring more result to the country other than to damage the indigenous company that is competing favourably.

“We decided to hold a close door meeting with both parties and at the end, the Senate resolved that a company that engages 2000 Nigerians in its employ and another having a higher figure of 5000 in its employ, should make progress.

“It is the desire of the Senate to see them add more value to the country than promote issues that will destroy them. And as such, we gave them two weeks to resolve the matter together and be friends.”