By Akinwale Kasali
The ban on Sachet Alcoholic Drinks that is less than 20cl has continued to generate uproar from the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, DIBAN, and their employees. They stormed the office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC on Tuesday to stage a protest against it.
The protesters stormed the Lagos Office of NAFDAC at the Isolo area of the State with placards with different inscriptions. “Let poor Nigerians breathe,” “Let beverage workers breathe,” amongst others.
Since the announcement of the ban by NAFDAC and its enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets, and glass bottles of 200ml and below on February 1, 2024, there has been call for the Commission to rescind its decision, as it was alleged that over N2.4 Billion will be lost by stakeholders.
But NAFDAC’s boss, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye has said no such beverages were registered with the NAFDAC, and that the ban stays.
On February 13, 2024, members of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association of Nigeria gave NAFDAC 14 days to reverse its ban on sachet alcohol.
The association, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), issued the threat during a protest at the NAFDAC headquarters in Abuja, but NAFDAC remained defiant.
Members of the association threatened to spread the protests across the Agency’s offices nationwide if nothing is done about it.
