There may be uncertainty over Nigeria’s proposed ban on sachet and small-volume alcoholic drinks regardless of a December 31 enforcement deadline set by the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management (NAFDAC).
NAFDAC had introduced plans to implement a nationwide ban on the manufacturing, sale and distribution of sachet and different alcoholic drinks beneath 200ml from the tip of 2025, citing public well being considerations, rising alcohol abuse, and the convenience with which underage shoppers can entry low cost, simply concealable drinks.
The Nigerian Senate had backed the ban and issued an ultimatum to the company to start enforcement by December 31. Nonetheless, the Workplace of the Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation (OSGF) directed that each one enforcement actions be suspended till additional discover.
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NAFDAC has not formally withdrawn the coverage, however when contacted on whether or not the ban would take impact as deliberate, an official informed BusinessDay that the directives from the Senate and the OSGF had left enforcement in limbo.
“I can’t affirm that we’re implementing the ban for now. We’re within the center,” the official mentioned.
“I even spoke with the director accountable for enforcement and he doesn’t know. However by the primary week of January, we must always know how ahead,” he added.
The OSGF’s directive adopted correspondence from the Home of Representatives Committee on Meals and Medicine Administration and Management, which urged a evaluate of the deliberate enforcement.
The workplace mentioned it will rigorously study all related legislative resolutions, financial implications, public well being considerations, and broader nationwide curiosity issues to make sure a balanced, lawful, and well-coordinated end result.
The ban announcement had sparked public debate. Whereas well being advocates, legal professionals the Senate , amongst others help the ban, different stakeholders together with producers and the Home committee have raised considerations.
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-Basic of the Producers Affiliation of Nigeria (MAN), warned that the ban may very well be counterproductive and trigger vital financial disruption.
He mentioned it may end result within the lack of over N1.9 trillion in funding, mass retrenchment of greater than 500,000 direct staff and roughly 5 million oblique jobs, decreased manufacturing capability utilisation, and the collapse of indigenous companies.
He additional cautioned that, past these losses, a ban may gasoline the proliferation of illicit and unregulated alcoholic substances past the attain of regulatory authorities.
