The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to investigate the ban on sachet alcohol by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The resolution of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion jointly sponsored by Rep. Paschal Agbodike and Rep. Philip Agbese at the plenary, on Wednesday.
The House therefore mandated its Committee on National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to investigate the circumstances surrounding the ban imposed on the production of beverages in sachets and small bottles in Nigeria by the agency.
In his lead debate on the motion titled ‘Need to suspend the ban imposed by NAFDAC on production of beverages in sachet’, Agbodike noted that section 4(2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), empowers the National Assembly to make laws for the order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof.
He noted that NAFDAC announced its decision to stop the registration of beverages in small sachets and bottles in January 2024 when the Director-General of the Agency informed the public that the agency would ensure that the validity of renewal of already registered products would not exceed January 2024.
Adopting the motion, the lawmakers gave the Committee four weeks to carry out the investigation and report back for further legislative action.
NAFDAC had on Monday announced the commencement of its enforcement of the ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below.
Speaking at a press conference, Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye said the enforcement of the ban is now in full force.
“As of January 31, 2024, there is no alcoholic beverage in these categories that are registered by NAFDAC. I also want to inform you that the agency has started enforcement actions to enforce the implementation of this policy. The window period given to manufacturers by NAFDAC to sell off all alcoholic drinks in this category elapsed on January 31, 2024.
“To this end on the first day, after the elapse of the window period, the agency commenced nationwide enforcement actions on February 1, 2024 to enforce the implementation of the new policy.
“This situation is of course not acceptable, and the agency views this as flagrant disobedience to the laws of Nigeria. NAFDAC views this matter seriously and will engage all statutory means, which may include prosecution, to deal with the matter.
“I want to use this medium to ask all holders of alcohol in sachets, PET and glass bottles, empty sachets, PET bottles, empty glass bottles, and other packaging materials of these banned products to immediately report to the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC for hand-over of same to NAFDAC for destruction, to prevent sterner measures including prosecution,” she added.
Based on the recommendation of a multi-sectoral committee of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and the Industry represented by the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers, Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, in December 2018, NAFDAC stopped the registration of alcoholic beverages in sachet and small volume PET and glass bottles below 200ml in January 2022.
The lawmaker expressed worry that the decision to ban the registration of beverages in small sachets and bottles runs counter to the spirit and letter of the Constitution and runs against the Economic Recovery Plan of the current administration.
Agbodike argued that the ban on the production of the said beverages will cause more economic damage and cause job losses for over 50% of the workers in Nigeria.
He reminded his colleagues of need to encourage the sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, saying, NAFDAC’s policy to place a ban on the production of beverages in small sachets and bottles will be counterproductive.
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