In a significant demonstration at the Olota Palace in Ogun State, employees of distillery companies voiced their discontent over the recent ban on alcoholic drinks in sachets imposed by the National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The protesters, numbering in the thousands, gathered to condemn the move, asserting that it could push approximately five million families, dependent on the distillery sector for their livelihoods, into poverty.
The workers expressed concerns that the ban would lead to the closure of numerous factories, severely impacting the economy of Ota town, known for housing a substantial number of distillery companies.
Monday Ezekiel, a spokesperson for the protesters, emphasized the need for a more nuanced regulatory framework to address alcohol abuse rather than an outright ban.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, had recently announced the enforcement of a ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and bottles of 200ml and below due to non-registration.
This decision prompted a wave of reactions from stakeholders, including protests by the Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association and National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employees.
During the Tuesday protest, Ezekiel highlighted the ban’s potential threat to livelihoods, economic survival, and the estimated investment worth over N800 billion.
He warned that the policy could lead to significant job losses, jeopardize investments, and result in substantial revenue loss for the Nigerian Government.
Addressing the demonstrators, Ota monarch, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, pledged to convey their concerns to the appropriate government authorities.
He urged NAFDAC to reconsider its decision, emphasizing the necessity of engaging with wine and spirit producers to explore alternative measures that could address the issues without exacerbating the economic challenges faced by families nationwide.
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