MINISTER of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has set up an Investigative Panel to be headed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, to look into all the issues raised by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) especially on the cases of unfair labour practices in the Beverage sector.

Chief Wogu announced this development during a visit of the Group led by the former Minister of Information, Mr. Frank Nweke Jr, who is also the Director General of the (NESG).

According to him, “It is reprehensible that people can violate the right of property owner because the property belong to the company and in spite of what we know are  the International best practices, picketing is allowed but lock-up of Companys’ property would amount to impunity.

The major mantra of this administration is adherence to the Rule of Law which has touched every aspect of this administration, I hereby set up an Investigative Panel to look into your allegation, the Panel which has one week to submit its report will be headed by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Tunji Olaopa. The term of reference of the Panel is to look at the immediate and remote causes of what happen and come up with solution.”

The Minister argued that recent happenings in the labour sector had given force to the need for a paradigm shift in the labour/government relationship from adversarial to a friendly and dialogue oriented relationship.

In view of this development, the Minister added that status quo-ante should be maintained by both the Labour Unions and the Beverages Companies alleged as the Ministry of Labour and Productivity had intervened on the issues raised.

Speaking on behalf of the Economic Summit Group, former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke Jr, said the intention of the visit was to afford the Group the opportunity to discuss the Group’s perspectives on Nigeria’s overall labour environment and in particular some emerging labour practices within the economy especially those that could hurt investment opportunity and limit capacity utilization of industry in our fragile economy.

The Nigeria Economic Summit Group Delegation had Chief Executive Officers of some of Nigeria’s leading manufacturing companies in attendance.

These include; Mr. Sunil Sawhney, Managing Director Seven Up Bottling Company, Martin Woolnough MD/CEO Nestle Nigeria plc, Segun Ogunsanya MD/CEO Nigerian Bottling Company, Otunba Dipo Daramola MD SAB (NIG) LTD and Keith Richard MD Promasidor Nigeria Limited.