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Pressure is building on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) following growing concerns from stakeholders over the enforcement of a ban on sachet alcohol and small PET bottle alcoholic beverages.
The Independent Public Service Accountability Watch (IPSAW) is among groups that have recently raised issues about the policy, urging the Federal Government to review its implementation and broader implications for businesses and consumers.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, IPSAW’s Executive Director, Stephen Eriba, said the organisation believes the policy requires wider consultation to ensure that regulatory objectives are balanced with economic and social considerations.
According to the group, the enforcement of the ban has generated debate among stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, and consumer groups, many of whom have called for more engagement before the policy is fully implemented.
IPSAW also noted that the matter has previously attracted the attention of the House of Representatives, which encouraged continued dialogue between regulators and industry players.
While acknowledging the mandate of NAFDAC, led by its Director-General, Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, to safeguard public health and ensure product safety, the group said it believes further consultations could help address concerns about possible effects on jobs, businesses, and market stability.
The organisation therefore called on the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to consider stakeholders’ views and encourage constructive engagement aimed at achieving a balanced and sustainable approach to alcohol regulation.
