Again, MAN seeks lifting of sachet alcohol ban

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has restated its call that the Federal Government should end the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks.

The Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, told The PUNCH on Wednesday that it was important for the government to lift the ban to prevent further job loss and keep distillers in the country in business.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of National Food and Drug Administration Control, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, currently said the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks was still on and had not yet been called off after it was reported on June 15 that the House Committee on NAFDAC, which investigated the agency’s ban on February 1, 2024, and concluded that it was “untimely given the current economic realities”.

But Adeyeye, speaking in a virtual meeting, said the ban on sachet alcohol was a ministerial directive which “remains until the Minister (of Health) responds”.

The MAN DG, who had earlier applauded the decision by the Federal House of Representatives and NAFDAC, said the association’s position on the ban “remains unchanged”.

According to Ajayi-Kadir, the association remained hopeful that the continuation of the discussion would culminate in a termination of the ban.

He noted that a termination of the ban was the right thing to do, in the interest of jobs, industry, the government and the economy.

The MAN DG maintained that the association had demonstrated scientifically how the ban would not be the best option, particularly for the packaging of alcoholic beverages.

“We had demonstrated that it was better to use education, restriction of access and continuous engagement to ensure that only those who are adults and have a right to those products could access them,” he added.

As a response to the NAFDAC DG’s insistence on the ban being in place until a response comes from the Minister of Health, Prof Ali Pate, Ajayi-Kadir stated that the concerns expressed by the health minister and NAFDAC were “fully realisable and are being significantly realised”.

Ajayi-Kadir said the industry players were actively working to allay the health ministry’s concerns as they had recommitted to restricting access to sachet alcoholic drinks to underage citizens and carrying out campaigns for responsible consumption as it is done in other countries.

The MAN DG asked NAFDAC to reexamine the possible consequences of the ban, not only on the alcoholic beverages industry but also on the workers in the industry.

He said the manufacturers association remained optimistic that in the final analysis, good judgment would prevail and the Nigerian economy would be the better for it.

NAFDAC claimed the ban on the sale and consumption of sachet and PET bottle alcoholic beverages chiefly as a means of checking youth drug abuse.