The House of Representatives has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to enforce its resolution on the ban on alcohol packed in sachet and pet bottle.
The Chairman, House Committee on NAFDAC and member representing Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Regina Akume stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
The House had last week resolved that the ban imposed by NAFDAC on the sachet alcoholic and 200m pet bottles be suspended considering the prevailing economic situation in the country.
According to Akume, the ban should be lifted because the timing is inappropriate, the economy is struggling, the unemployment rate is staggering, and the inflation rate is soaring.
She added that the poverty level is on the increase with paucity of Foreign Exchange to do business, stating that the ban should be replaced with prescribed regulations and access control such as establishment of licensed liquor stores/outlets in local government areas across the country.
The lawmaker said NAFDAC should make it unlawful to send underage persons to purchase alcoholic beverages, adding that there should be tighten of enforcements by law enforcement agencies.
The lawmakers also advocated increased monitoring and compliance checks by NAFDAC, FCCPC, and related agencies to ensure strict product quality in terms of content and safety.
Akume also said that the legislation should be adapted to encourage recycling of the materials for the promotion of the green economy.
This, she noted, would go a long way in minimising importation of raw materials used in producing these pet bottles and sachets, thus conserving the Forex.
The House had insisted that the ban runs counter to the spirit and letter of the Constitution, and also against the economic recovery plan of the current administration.
This according to the House, is sequel to the numerous economic challenges confronting poor Nigerians, noting that the ban on the production of the said beverages will cause job losses and more economic hardship.
