Pepsi, Bigi imbroglio: Senate intervenes, proffers ADR solution
Following the simmering dispute between Nigeria’s two soft drinks manufacturers, 7-Up Bottling Company, makers of Pepsi and Rites Foods Limited, makers of Bigi brands, the Senate has intervened by proffering an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) initiative as a process of resolving the issue between both parties.
The solution was tendered on the heels of a closed-door meeting with the panel led by Senator Ayo Akinyelure following a petition by the lawyers to the Rites Foods Limited against the 7-Up Bottling Company in Abuja, recently. The meeting lasted two hours, and the two parties were asked to go and resolve the conflict among them within two weeks.
According to Akinyelure, both parties have been asked to return in two weeks after their peace meeting.
In his word: “There are three dominant players in the soft drink industry. We have the Coca-Cola, Seven Up and Rites Foods Nigeria Limited, makers of Bigi soft drink.
We appreciate as senior citizens of this country that Rites Foods Limited is a wholly owned indigenous company that should be encouraged in all ramifications.
“They have only one plant and they have been able to do the magic through the dedicated team of management staff. Within four years, they were able to compete favourably with Coca-Cola and Seven Up and by market rating they have the market rating.”
“When we heard from the Seven-UP management, they appreciated the competitiveness of Rites Foods Nigeria Limited the makers of Bigi drinks and also they are developing strategies on how to compete favourably in the market.
“We have been able to sit the 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 results to the country.
“I decided to hold a closed-door meeting in my office with both parties and at the end of the meeting attended by senior members of the Senate.”
He continued: “For a company that engages 2,000 Nigerians with the other having 5,000 in her employment, it is our wish to see them progress and add more value to the country.
“We resolved in the committee and gave them two weeks to resolve the matter together, let them be friends. Let them go and come back with resolutions that would be adopted by both parties and then we will make our report to the Senate to ensure that they go out to go and compete and also develop strategies that would employ more Nigerians.”
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
Comment
No comments found.