The House of Representatives urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to adhere to its decision and lift the prohibition on sachet alcoholic beverages and pet bottles. Mrs. Regina Akume, Chairperson of the House Committee on NAFDAC, delivered this directive during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
The House had previously, on March 14, 2024, instructed NAFDAC to revoke the ban on the production of alcohol in sachets and pet bottles containing less than 200ml. This decision was prompted by protests from distillers, who argued that the ban would result in the loss of 500,000 jobs and jeopardize investments worth N800 billion.
Addressing the media, Akume criticized the timing of the ban, citing the country’s economic challenges. “The economy is in distress; unemployment is rampant, inflation is surging, and poverty is escalating,” she remarked. She suggested that instead of imposing a ban, NAFDAC should implement regulations and access controls, such as establishing licensed liquor stores in local government areas nationwide.
Akume emphasized the need for NAFDAC to prevent underage individuals from purchasing alcoholic beverages and advocated for enhanced monitoring to ensure product quality and safety standards. She also proposed promoting the green economy by encouraging the recycling of used materials to reduce the reliance on imported raw materials for producing pet bottles and sachets.
Furthermore, Akume reiterated the House’s stance that the ban contradicted both the constitution and the economic recovery plan of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
