National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s clamp down on alcoholic beverages packed in sachets and small bottles has attracted the interest of the House of Representatives.
During its plenary Wednesday the House resolved to investigate the ban after a motion was moved Paschal Agbodike, who argued that NAFDAC’s actions could impact negatively on the economy.
He said “ The decision by NAFDAC to ban the registration of beverages in small sachets and bottles runs counter to the spirit and letter of the Constitution and is against the Economic Recovery Plan of the current administration.”
However, Hon Olamide Osoba said the ban is within the mandate of NAFDAC.
Meanwhile, labour unions Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FBTSSA) and the National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) have kicked against the ban on sachet alcohol.
According to a joint press release issued on Tuesday, this regulatory measure places approximately 500,000 jobs at risk.
“This singular action (the ban) has sent over 500,000 breadwinners out of jobs and into the oversaturated Nigerian labour market.”
They further criticised the policy for exacerbating the nation’s economic challenges, potentially catalysing the closure of businesses producing these beverages.
In a spirited response to this ban, Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DBAN) members congregated at the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos, to express their dissent.
NAFDAC director-general Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, argued that alcohol was within the reach of children and commercial vehicles drivers with the production, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets, PET, and tiny glass bottles (200ml and below).
