NECA disagrees with Reps over power to probe private firms

The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association on Wednesday disagreed with the House of Representatives over the powers of the National Assembly to probe the activities of private companies operating in the country.

NECA currently contesting the legislative duty of the National Assembly under Sections 88/89 of the 1999 Constitution to expose corruption does not cover private firms.

Also, the association holds the position that there was a pending court matter challenging the powers of the National Assembly awaiting disposal by the Supreme Court.

This is sequel to an ad hoc committee of the House investigating the safety of soft drinks and other carbonated beverages consumed in the country.

The committee, which is chaired by the Majority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, is specifically investigating alleged high content Benzoic Acid and Sunset Yellow in the drinks.

It is said that Benzoic Acid and Sunset Yellow, when taken with Ascorbic Acid, better known as Vitamin C, are said to have health implementations like cancer.

Nigeria is said to have as a standard of 250 milligrams per kilogramme of Benzoic Acid and Sunset Yellow in drinks.

The United Kingdom and many European Union countries have a lower standard of 150ml per kg in a bid to control their harmful effects.

NECA, through its lawyer, Mr. Tunji Abayomi, wrote to the Gbajabiamila committee to say that its members would not submit themselves for the investigation on the grounds of the pending litigation.

Fifteen major manufacturers summoned by the committee were listed on the letter Abayomi sent to the lawmakers.

The companies are Nigerian Bottling Company, producers of Coca-Cola; Seven-Up Bottling Company; Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc; Nigerian Breweries Plc; Nestlé Nigeria Plc; and Sona Breweries Plc.

Others are Nigerian Distilleries Limited; International Breweries Plc; Glaxosmithkline Consumer Nigeria Limited; and Chi Limited.

NECA, in another letter conveying its concerns, stated, “We advise members to stay off and not to honour the invitation in view of our on-going court case against the Speaker and the House, which is presently at the Supreme Court.”

But, lawmakers dismissed the position of NECA and asked the affected manufacturers to attend the investigative hearing to avoid running foul of the constitution.

Gbajabiamila, who is also a lawyer, stated that sections 88/89 of the constitution applied to all persons operating in Nigeria, including private firms.

He also argued that Section 14(2)(b) of the constitution made provision on security and welfare of the citizenry as being the primary purpose of government