Sachet Alcohol Not A Public Health Emergency, Says Dominic

The President of the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance, Ogakwu Dominic, has warned that the planned enforcement of the ban on sachet and small PET bottle alcohol could have far-reaching economic consequences for Nigerians.

Speaking on the Arise News Morning Show, Dominic said the policy, although aimed at curbing alcohol abuse, would negatively affect the general public if implemented without further engagement with key stakeholders.

He cautioned that the ban could result in the loss of over 500,000 jobs and wipe out between ₦1.2 trillion and ₦1.5 trillion in investments, citing data from Nairametrics.

According to him, the issue should not be viewed solely from a public health perspective, arguing that the real challenge lies in enforcement and abuse rather than the packaging of alcohol.

Dominic maintained that sachet alcohol does not constitute a public health emergency and urged regulators to reconsider the timeline for implementing the ban.

Noting that many investors operate on long-term plans and may be unable to recover their investments within the one-year moratorium earlier granted, Dominic called for renewed dialogue with manufacturers.

He stressed the need for a balanced policy approach that safeguards public health while avoiding mass job losses and economic hardship.