Distillers’ Agreement With NAFDAC To Stop Manufacturing Of Alcoholic Beverages Signed Under Duress – Group

A civil rights group, Concerned Citizens of Nigeria (CCN), has alleged that the agreement signed between the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees (AFBTE) and Distillers and Beverages Association of Nigeria (DABAN), the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) in 2018 was under “duress.”

The Group during a protest in Abuja, expressed their displeasure with the decision of NAFDAC, FCCPC and the Federal Ministry of Health to ban the production of alcoholic beverages of 200ml and below.

THE WHISTLER on Monday reported that manufacturers of pocket-size sachet alcoholic drinks have defied the Federal Government’s ban on the outlawed products and have continued production despite a Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU) signed in 2018.

Speaking with journalists at the protest ground, the Convener, Comrade Peter Harry, said, “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Federal Ministry of Health; NAFDAC; FCCPC; Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees (AFBTE) and DABAN, in 2018, to ban pocket size alcoholic beverages effect from 31st of January, 2024, but findings indicated that the agreement was signed under duress, hence it should be disregarded.

“The ban which defiles all legal considerations is deemed null and void, unconstitutional, and of no consequence.

“The lawmakers have given an order to NAFDAC to halt implementation of the decision. One could only imagine millions of jobs that would be lost to this ban if it were to be, except that alcohol is after all, not a contraband product”.

Speaking further Harry confirmed that NAFDAC’s decision on the ban was valid, adding that the agency could implement tactical ways of regulation without contributing to the current economic woes.

Harry said, “The primary rationale given for the ban is to discourage and reduce the abuse of alcohol by the youths, under-aged and some motorists, as well as reduce the environmental pollution impacts of the plastics and polythene waste materials.

“The government regulatory bodies should place more emphasis on regulation, monitoring and enlightenment, to educate the stakeholders and the public on the dangers of underage consumption of alcohol and its sale in the motor packs.

“Other solutions are embarking on massive enlightenment campaign against alcohol abuse; strengthening of regulatory mechanism to ensure enforcement and compliance; collaborating with NURTW, FRSC, and faith-based organisations in creating awareness on the dangers and vices associated with the abuse of alcohol; enlightenment campaign to secondary schools across the country, such as being done by NDLEA, to educate students on the dangers of alcohol abuse.

“There should also be stronger collaboration between government regulatory agencies for better results; identifying factors that could enhance irresponsible consumption of alcoholic beverages; identifying factors responsible for the under-age drinking in Nigeria; as well as strengthening implementation structures through effective collaboration to ensure sustainability, regulating alcohol advertisement, among others.”

Earlier the Vice President of TUC, Mr Emmanuel Idogen, said the agency’s decision to label alcoholic sachets as the sole contributor to the blockages of drainage would be unfair.

Idogen also said that alcoholic sachet drinks were affordable and economical in quantity for those who don’t have enough money but still want to enjoy alcohol consumption.

The vice president said, “We are appealing to NAFDAC to suspend the directive to shut down the production of alcoholic sachets drinks for the posterity of the masses,” he said.