The House of Representatives has taken steps to investigate the recent ban imposed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the production of beverages in sachets and small bottles. This decision came following a motion presented by Paschal Agbese during the Tuesday plenary session.
In response to the ban, the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria announced plans to protest the decision at the National Assembly. The move comes after NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, declared the agency’s intention to enforce the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below.
Members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria staged a protest at the NAFDAC office in Lagos, expressing their dissatisfaction with the ban. Additionally, the Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association and the National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employees rejected the plan, citing potential job losses for over 500,000 workers.
The unions furthered their protest by taking their grievances to the Lagos State House of Assembly, where Emmanuel Edoghe, Vice Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, emphasized the negative impact of the ban on the economy and the workforce.
In response to the growing concerns, Agbbodike led a debate at the House of Assembly, invoking Section 88(1)(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to investigate matters of national interest. He argued that the ban contradicted the constitution and the Economic Recovery Plan of the current administration.
Expressing worry over the potential economic fallout, Agbbodike highlighted the adverse effects on small and medium enterprises, the largest employers in Nigeria, employing over 84% of the workforce. He stressed that the ban could lead to an increase in illicit production and exacerbate poverty levels.
The motion has been referred to the Committee on NAFDAC for further legislative action.
