From Ndubuisi Orji and Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The of Representatives has resolved to probe the circumstances surrounding the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small bottles by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The House, which mandated its Committee on NAFDAC to undertake the probe and report back to it within four weeks, also directed the agency to suspend the ban.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Paschal Agbodike and Phillip Agbese, calling for the suspension of the ban on the production of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small bottles.
Agbodike, in his lead debate, said the decision to ban the registration of beverages in small sachets and bottles runs counter to the spirit and letter of the constitution, as well as the economic recovery plan of the current administration.
He expressed concern that due to numerous economic challenges confronting poor Nigerians, the ban on the production of the beverages would result in job losses for several people, especially those engaged in the business.
Besides, the lawmaker said that will encourage unscrupulous elements to go about the production of such drinks and products without recourse to NAFDAC.
Meanwhile, a civil right group, Concerned Citizens of Nigeria (CCN), yesterday, staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, to register their displeasure with the decision of NAFDAC and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), to enforce the ban of production of alcohol in sachets and mini bottles.
The enforcement followed the expiration of a five-year window provided by NAFDAC and FCCPC, for the manufacturers of the alcohol to quit packaging the products in sachet and mini bottles, and migrate to larger containers.
The convener, Peter Harry, told newsmen in Abuja that they were concerned by the effect of NAFDAC’s decision on the economy, job losses along the value chain, fate of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and consumers too.
He appealed to the relevant authorities, particularly NAFDAC and FCCPC, to heed the advice of the National Assembly to suspend decision on the ban till further notice.
He also asked for other interventions on the matter to salvage the ailing economy which members of Distillers and Beverages Association of Nigeria (DABAN), and other beneficiaries along the value chain are major players.
He, however, confirmed that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Federal Ministry of Health; NAFDAC; FCCPC; Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees (AFBTE) and DABAN, in 2018, to ban the packaging of high strength alcohol in sachets and small volume pets, with effect from January 31, 2024, but their findings indicated the agreement was signed under duress, hence, it should be disregarded.
“Besides, the lawmakers have given an order to NAFDAC to halt implementation of the decision. One could only imagine millions of jobs that would be lost to this ban if it were to be, except that alcohol is after all, not a contraband product.
“However, the ban which defiles all legal considerations is deemed null and void, unconstitutional and of no consequence. The primary rationale given for the ban is to discourage and reduce the abuse of alcohol by the youths, under-aged and some motorists, as well as reducing the environmental pollution impacts of the plastics and polythene wastes materials. These identified challenges can better be addressed in a more better way,” he said.
He, however, suggested an increased awareness about the hazards of alcohol abuse to human health with its attendant social vices.
“This can be done by causing the producers to expose the dangers associated with the abuse of this product, by boldly printing and enumerating them on the packs, as it is done in the case of tobacco.
“In addition to that, government regulatory bodies should place more emphasis on regulation, monitoring and enlightenment, to educate the stakeholders and the public on the dangers of underaged consumption of alcohol and its sale in the motor packs.
“Other solutions are embarking on massive enlightenment campaign against alcohol abuse; strengthening of regulatory mechanism to ensure enforcement and compliance; collaborating with National Road Transport Union of Nigeria, Federal Road Safety Corps, faith-based organisations in creating awareness on the dangers and vices associated with the abuse of alcohol; enlightenment campaign to secondary schools across the country, such as being done by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, to educate students on the dangers of alcohol abuse.
“There should also be stronger collaboration between government regulatory agencies for better result; identifying factors that could enhance irresponsible consumption of alcoholic beverages; identifying factors responsible for the under-aged drinking in Nigeria; as well as strengthening implementation structures through effective collaboration to ensure sustainability, regulating alcohol advertisement, among others.”
On the environmental impact, the group insisted alcohol sachets and pets packages constitute a minute percentage of the total waste released by the total packaged products across the country contrary to the information provided by some individuals and groups.