Sachet Alcohol Ban Remains in Effect – NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reiterated its stance on the ban of sachet alcoholic beverages in Nigeria. This was confirmed by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

Adeyeye’s announcement stands in contrast to a recent statement by the House of Representatives, which suggested the ban had been suspended. Addressing the discrepancy, Adeyeye acknowledged a meeting with legislators but clarified that no final decision had been made, and the ban remains in effect pending further discussions.

“The ban on sachet alcohol is a ministerial directive and remains until the ministers respond,” Adeyeye stated. “The meeting last week Thursday is a continuation of the discussion. The ministers should write a memorandum to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the representative of the Speaker, Jake Dan-Azumi, said we should continue the discussion after the House members’ recess in July. So, the discussion continues.”

Contradicting this position, Philip Agbese, a member of the House of Representatives, announced on Friday that there had been an agreement to temporarily lift the ban on sachet alcoholic beverages following a meeting between the House Committee and NAFDAC officials. According to Agbese, the ban would be reinstated once the economy improves.

The enforcement of the ban, which began on February 1, targeted the importation, manufacturing, distribution, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below. This decision was based on a recommendation from a high-powered committee comprising the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and industry representatives.

The ban has sparked protests from distillers and labor unions, who argue it could result in the loss of 500,000 jobs and damage investments worth N800 billion.

In her statement, Adeyeye emphasized that NAFDAC is acting on a ministerial directive and the ban will remain until further guidance is received from the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate. She reported the meeting’s outcome to both Pate and his counterpart, Minister of State Tunji Alausa, and reiterated that no new directive to suspend the ban had been received.

The discussion around the ban is set to continue after the House of Representatives reconvenes in July.