On Alcohol In Sachets, Pet Bottles
The Federal House of Representatives has asked the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to rescind its resolution on the ban on sachet alcohol, per bottle.
Hon. Regina Akume, member representing Gboko Tarkaa Federal Constituency and also Chairman, House Committee on NAFDAC said this at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, 20th March, 2024.
Recall that the House had earlier ordered NAFDAC to lift the ban on sachet alcohol and pet bottle.
According to Akume, the ban should be lifted because the timing is inappropriate, the economy is struggling, the unemployment rate is staggering, and the inflation rate is soaring.
She added that the poverty level is on the increase with paucity of FOREX to do business.
In her words “instead of the ban, it should be replaced with prescribed regulations and access control such as establishment of licensed liquor stores/outlets in LGAs across the country”.
“NAFDAC should make it unlawful to send under aged people to purchase alcoholic beverages, adding that there should be tighten of enforcements by law enforcement agencies”.
While advocating increased monitoring and compliance checks by NAFDAC, FCCPC, and others to ensure strict product quality in terms of content and safety, she stated that legislation approach should be adapted to encourage recycling of the materials for the promotion of the green economy as this would go a long way in minimising importation of raw materials used in producing these pet bottles and sachets, thus conserving the Forex.
It would be recalled that the House had described that the ban runs counter to the spirit and letter of the Constitution and also against the Economic recovery Plan of the current administration, which is sequel to the numerous economic challenges confronting poor Nigerian, while noting the ban on the production of the said beverages will cause job losses and more economic hardship.
