The House of Representatives Committee on NAFDAC has directed the temporary lifting of the prohibition on the sale of spirits and alcoholic beverages in sachets and pet bottles pending further investigation.
Rep. Regina Akume, the committee’s chairperson, emphasized the necessity of proper procedures before implementing such bans and highlighted the importance of implementing access control measures to prevent underage consumption.
She underscored the committee’s commitment to ensuring NAFDAC’s efficiency in fostering employment and economic growth while maintaining public safety. Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director General, reiterated that the ban aimed to safeguard the health and well-being of children, youths, and other vulnerable demographics.
“We tried to protect the market, and that was why we agreed to a five-year moratorium for the manufacturers to phase out alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles in December 2018.
She clarified that the directive originated from a ministerial decision rather than being solely determined by NAFDAC, and now the five-year period has elapsed. Adeyeye noted that despite the consensus on banning alcohol in sachets and pet bottles, NAFDAC was surprised by the manufacturers’ increasing lobbying efforts.
She emphasized that many issues could have been addressed earlier, reiterating that the agency’s concern was not with alcohol production in general but specifically with alcohol packaged in sachets and pet bottles, aiming to deter children from easy access.
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