The House of Representatives has directed its committee on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to investigate the reasons and circumstances behind NAFDAC’s decision to prohibit the production of beverages in sachets and small bottles in Nigeria.
This decision came after a motion was raised on the floor by Reps Paschal Agbodike and Philip Agbese. Agbodike, in presenting the motion, highlighted the constitutional provisions in Sections 4(2) and 88(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which authorize the National Assembly to enact laws for governance and to conduct inquiries into the activities of bodies such as NAFDAC.
He said, “NAFDAC had 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 will ensure that the validity of renewal of already registered products will not exceed January 2024.
“The decision to ban the registration of beverages in small sachets and bottles runs counter to the spirit and letter of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and runs against the Economic Recovery Plan of the current administration.
“Also worried that, given the numerous economic challenges confronting poor Nigerians, the ban on the production of the said beverages will work more havoc and cause job losses for over 50% of the workers in Nigeria.
“The need to encourage the sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which are the greatest employer of labour in Nigeria, employing over 84% of the workforce in Nigeria, NAFDAC’s policy to place a ban on the production of beverages in small sachets and bottles will be counterproductive.
“The decision to place a ban on the production of beverages in small sachets and bottles will encourage unscrupulous elements to go about the production of such drinks and products without recourse to NAFDAC.
Additionally, he elaborated that the ban of registering beverages in small sachets and bottles will exacerbate the challenges faced by Nigerians reliant on the production and sale of these beverages, ultimately leading to increased unemployment and economic difficulties. This situation will be further compounded by the current removal of subsidies, causing additional suffering for Nigerians.
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