Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The House of Representatives yesterday called on the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to, as a matter of urgency, lift the ban placed on the production and sale of sachet alcoholic drinks and 200ml pet bottles.
The Green Chamber was of the opinion that the timing of the ban was inappropriate considering the current economic conditions, staggering unemployment, soaring inflation and high rate of poverty level.
The resolution of the House was sequel to the consideration and adoption of the report of the House Committee overseeing the activities of NAFDAC which investigated the ban.
The House pointed out that the ban of sachet alcohol should be replaced with the establishment of licensed liquor stores/outlets in Local Government Areas across the country and making it unlawful to send under-age persons to purchase alcoholic beverages.
The lawmakers noted that parents, religious bodies and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) should be tasked to counsel their children or ward, especially the under-aged, on the danger of alcohol consumption.
The lawmakers added that the process of enforcement should be tightened, with increased monitoring and compliance checks by NAFDAC and others to ensure strict product quality in terms of content and safety.
The lawmakers also said that producers of sachet alcohol should expose the dangers associated with the abuse of alcohol sachet products, by boldly inscribing and enumerating the danger on the packs, as obtained in the case of tobacco.
The House added: “Government regulatory bodies should place more emphasis on regulation, monitoring and enlightenment campaigns to educate stakeholders and the general public on the dangers of under aged consumption of alcohol and its sales in motor parks.
“Enlightenment campaigns should be carried out in secondary schools across the country, as practiced by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to educate students on dangers and vices associated with the abuse of alcohol.
“Regulatory mechanisms should be strengthened to ensure enforcement and compliance and encourage legislation promoting recycling materials for green economy and minimising importation of raw materials used in producing pet bottles and sachets to conserve FX.”
