Beverage workers protest at NAFDAC office over ban on sachet alcohol

Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) and National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), yesterday, stormed the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to express their disapproval of the recent ban on manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml.

The associations, affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), visited the office the second time with placards reading: “NAFDAC, there is hunger in the land,” “NAFDAC, joblessness leads to crimes,” “NAFDAC open our factories,” among others.

Branch Secretary of FOBTOB, Antony Oyagha, questioned the rationale behind the ban, saying that companies have invested heavily in educating consumers about responsible consumption and age restrictions.

He further emphasised the negative impact the ban would have on employment, which potentially can exacerbate the existing unemployment crisis.

Also, NUFBTE Branch Secretary, Jeffrey Igein, who corroborated Oyagha’s views, urged NAFDAC to adopt a more regulatory approach rather than a complete ban.

In the same vein, one Friday Izegaegbe said: “We don’t want to lose our jobs. We are using this opportunity to call on the Oba of Lagos to call NAFDAC to order. We are also using this opportunity to call on the Oba of Benin to call them to order. As the day goes on, we may need to bring our wives and children.”

Meanwhile, NAFDAC’s representative, Director, Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products (VMAP), Dr Rametu Momodu, acknowledged the challenges posed by the ban and the concerns raised by the unions.

She said that the decision was not taken lightly and was part of a long-standing agreement.

“People are getting many diseases, such as cancer and liver problems. We all need to sit down on how to handle it,” she said.

Momodu, however, assured the protesters that NAFDAC would consider their grievances and review their protest letter.