FOOD, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION GIVES NAFDAC 14 DAYS ULTIMATUM 13-02-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, has given the office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, 14 days ultimatum to reverse its decision on the ban of alcohol in sachet.
Mr. Jimoh Oyibo, the National President of the association, which is an affiliate of Trade Union Congress, TUC, stated this in Abuja, during a peaceful protest to NAFDAC Head Office, where he submitted a letter containing the demands of the union.
Mr. Oyibo said that the ban has led to the closure of some companies including the largest distilling and blending company in Nigeria, which has rendered over 5,000 Nigerians workers jobless.
“Our association consider NAFDAC action as a wilful and deliberate economic sabotage as the implementation is coming at a time when the economy is on a downward spiral.
“It is instructive to state that workers in these companies pay various forms of taxes to the government at different levels while the companies in the sector also contribute significantly to the economy through job creation and taxes.
Mr. Oyibo further added that if the agency fail to reverse the ban within the stipulated 14 days, the protest would continue in all NAFDAC offices nationwide.
The Deputy Director, Human Resources, NAFDAC, Mr Adeyemi Omolehin, who received the protesters, promised to convey their message to the agency‘s Director-General.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, had on the 5th of this month, announced the ban on alcohol in sachet and small bottles below 200ml.
Prof. Adeyeye said that the move was aimed at discouraging its consumption by youths who easily accessed the products in such containers at an affordable cost.
She explained that the alcoholic products had an adverse negative impact on the younger generation, who should be safeguarded by necessary regulations, such as the ban.