OVERVIEW
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was established by Act Cap N1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2014 to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devises, bottled water, detergent and chemicals (referred to as regulated products).
It’s on this ground that the agency bans the manufacturing and selling of alcohol in sachets and PET glasses. This is a move that has been kicked against by many stakeholders on a common reason that it’ll affect the economy of the country and proffer alternative solution like restriction of the commodity from the under-aged.
STAKEHOLDERS AGREEMENT About 5 YEARS AGO
In December 2018, different bodies joined heads together in reasoning the implication of the current ban. Those that were involved and also co-signatories of the agreement were the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the industry represented by the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN).
Based on the agreement of the meeting, producers of alcohol in sachets and small volume agreed to reduce the production by 5 percent with effect from 31st January 2022 while ensuring the product is completely phased out in the country by 31st January 2024.
This shows that the banning of sachets alcohol is in relation to the agreement and NAFDAC is just enforcing what was already agreed in 2018. And because many has established on the business and invested much in it instead of the manufacturers of these commodity adhering to their agreement, NAFDAC is now taking the bullets.
NAFDAC MAIN REASONS FOR BANNING SACHETS ALCOHOL
According to NAFDAC, the under-aged are taking advantage of the small sizes. Adding that when under-aged children start taking alcohol at such young age, it can lead to many societal ills such as usage of drugs, risky sexual activities and making bad life decisions. The agency went ahead to mention the health implications the consumption of alcohol can cause.
“Alcoholic drinks in sachets, PET and Glass bottles are pocket-friendly and can easily be carried around, by the under-aged (including primary and secondary school children) without notice. It is easily affordable and comes handy for commercial bus drivers, keke riders, okada riders, etc who after taking them constitutes nuisance to the society”: NAFDAC.
WHY MAN AND TUC ARE KICKING AGAINST THE BAN OF SACHETS ALCOHOL BY NAFDAC
As reported by Vanguard: “Organised Labour, on 6th of February 2024 stormed the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, over the ban and shut down of production lines of companies manufacturing alcoholic drinks in sachets and small bottles below 200ml.”
The main argument of the Trade Union Congress is the high unemployment rate the ban will cause together with the billions of naira that has been invested in it.
“While speaking on ARISE NEWS on 13th of February 2024, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the director general at MAN emphasized on the high number of people that will lose their jobs: over five hundred thousand (500,000)”. He suggested that access can be restricted to the under-aged instead.
CURRENT SITUATION FOLLOWING THE BAN OF SACHETS ALCOHOL BY NAFDAC
Following the ban of sachets alcohol by NAFDAC, there have been many series of reactions to counter the move of the agency. While the agency remains unshaken with its decision, the panic has already made many sellers to flood the market with the remaining stocks. These can be seen just few days after the official announcement at some motor parks where the supply has increased drastically.
As some consumers question the capability of NAFDAC to enforce it, some big manufacturers in the industry are fighting strongly for the agency to recall the ban.
CONCLUSION
As the Nigerian economy suffers high inflation rate and the cost of living getting so expensive, many have to look for a means to survive especially in a situation where job is not easy to come by. Even those working are even complaining of low salary and wish for a salary raise to measure up with the current expenses.
Selling of sachets alcohol has created jobs for many Nigerians of course so, banning it will surely affect the economy and the revenue generated by the government in terms of taxes.
However, looking at the health implication of these items to our younger ones in respect to the future of the country will definitely support the motion.
But still, many argue that taking the livelihood of many will instead cause more harm to the society than caring just about the health implication of the consumers.
This is a situation that should be reviewed by all stakeholders in respect to our current state of the economy. All stakeholders are trying to protect their interest even though it was an agreed decision which NAFDAC is trying to enforce in fulfilling its statutory obligation to the country.