The House of Representatives and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control have resolved to lift the ban on the sale and consumption of sachet alcoholic beverages nationwide.
The deputy spokesman for the House, Philip Agbese, who disclosed this, said the lifting of the ban would end when the economy fully recovers from its current strain.
NAFDAC had banned the production of beverages in small sachets and bottles for reasons unconnected with the prevailing cases of drug abuse in the country, especially by some young Nigerians.
Recall that the House of Representatives, on February 7, 2024, mandated its committee on the NAFDAC to probe the circumstances surrounding the ban imposed on the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles in Nigeria by the agency.
This was sequel to a motion moved on the floor of the Green Chamber by members Paschal Agbodike and Philip Agbese during the plenary session.
Briefing journalists at the National Assembly Complex on Friday, Agbese disclosed that the resolution to temporarily lift the ban was reached after a meeting between the House Committee and NAFDAC officials.
He said, “We all agreed at the meeting that, at a certain stage in history, we must move on with our counterparts across the globe. Nevertheless, at the moment, we agreed with NAFDAC that there would be a temporary lifting of the ban until the economy regains its strength.”
Agbese, who represents the Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency in Benue State, explained how the decision was made by saying, “We had engagements with stakeholders, including NAFDAC and the organized private sector involved.” At the meeting, decisions were made in response to submissions from interested parties, civil society organizations, and stakeholders.
“The introduction of COVID-19, the five-year moratorium that NAFDAC granted the private sector, and other economic realities we are facing today made it impossible for the operators in the industry to comply with their terms,” according to one of the recommendations put forth to the parliament. “The ban was not timely given the current economic realities,” the report continued.
