The House of Representatives has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to enforce its resolution on the ban on alcohol packed in sachet and pet bottle.
According to The PUNCH, the Chairman, House Committee on NAFDAC and member representing Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Regina Akume stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
The House had on March 14, 2024, asked NAFDAC to lift the ban on the production of alcohol in sachets and pet bottles of less than 200ml.
The resolution by the House followed agitation and protests by distillers, who said the ban would throw 500,000 workers out of jobs and ruin N800bn investments.
Speaking on Wednesday at the news conference, Akume said the ban came at the wrong time considering the economic situation in the country.
“The economy is struggling; the unemployment rate is staggering, and the inflation rate is soaring. The poverty level is on the increase and there is a paucity of foreign exchange to do business,” Akume said.
“NAFDAC should make it unlawful to send underaged people to purchase alcoholic beverages,” she said.
She also advocated increased monitoring and compliance checks by NAFDAC to ensure strict product quality in terms of content and safety.
