The House of Representatives has urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to adhere to its resolution and lift the ban on sachet alcoholic beverages and pet bottles. This call was made by the Chairman of the House Committee on NAFDAC, Mrs. Regina Akume, during a news conference in Abuja. The House’s decision to lift the ban, made on March 14, 2024, came in response to protests from distillers, who argued that the ban would lead to significant job losses and negatively impact investments worth N800bn.
Mrs. Akume emphasized that the timing of the ban was inappropriate given the country’s economic challenges, including high unemployment, inflation, and scarcity of foreign exchange. Instead of the ban, she proposed that NAFDAC focus on enforcing regulations and access control, such as establishing licensed liquor stores in local government areas and preventing underage individuals from purchasing alcoholic beverages. She also stressed the importance of increased monitoring and compliance checks by NAFDAC to ensure product quality and safety.
Furthermore, Mrs. Akume advocated for the recycling of used materials to promote a green economy and reduce reliance on imported raw materials for producing pet bottles and sachets. The House had previously criticized the ban, arguing that it contradicted constitutional principles and the economic recovery plan of the administration led by President Bola Tinubu.
