HOUSE COMMITTEE SUMMONS DG NAFDAC ON HER REFUSAL TO SUSPEND BAN ON ALCOHOLIC SACHETS PET BOTTLES 24-05-24
By Sadiq Aminu The House of Representatives committee on National Agency on Food, Drugs Administration, and Control NAFDAC, has Summoned the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye to appear before the Committee to explained why she has refused to comply with the House directive and resolution for the lifting of Ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles
At a news briefing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Uchenna Okonkwo, described the outright refusal by the DG of NAFDAC to adhere to the House Directive and Resolutions as direct affront to the rule of law and Nigeria’s Parliament.
The Vice Chairman of the Committee said if such display of impunity was allowed to go unchecked it would set a dangerous precedence for future abuse and disregard for legislative Directives
Mr. Okonkwo emphasized that the action exhibited by the Director General of the NAFDAC undermines the oversight functions of the National Assembly and it is a threat to the nation’s democracy.
“The committee regrets the sudden deteriorating mutual relationship between the agency and the parliament, which is counter productive to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”
“We view the Director General’s action as a direct affront on the rule of law and the people’s parliament”
Another member of the Committee, Mr. Chinedu Ogah, said the refusal of Professor Adeyeye to lift ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles as directed by the House had resulted to the closure of so many companies in Nigeria, which now rendered many Nigerians unemployed.
In January this year NAFDAC stopped the registration of alcohol in sachets, small volumes, and glass bottles below 200 ml.
But the House after considering its Committee’s report directed the Ban be lifted because of the implications to the nation’s economy.