Women in Bomadi Local Government Area, a fishing zone of Delta State, have said that from time immemorial they had deployed the proceeds from the sale of ogogoro, the local gin recently banned by the Federal Government, into the education of their children.

The women led by one Mrs. Dogood Bribai, under the aegis of Esenabe Ebimini Union (EEU), said the ban placed on the gin was an ill wind that would blow those involved in the business no good, saying the ban had affected their means of livelihood in the local communities.

In a peaceful protest aimed at registering their disapproval, the women said the ogogoro produced from raffia palm wine which the community women have sold over the years, had not been reported to have killed or harmed anyone who had patronised them prior to the ban.

She said that the proceeds from the local gain had aided the education of their children and financing minor projects which are aimed at the well being of their families in the rural communities.

She alleged that the ban might have been occasioned by a saboteur who had adulterated the refined gin with harmful chemicals, maintaining that there appears to be a revolution against the business in the country.

According to her, “we are mothers of children, we cannot do anything to affect the health of our people. So, the federal government should fish out those behind the killer substance which have claimed lives in the country”.

She called on the federal government to reconsider the decision saying if the country could overcome the killer Indomie and beans, it could also overcome the killer chemical allegedly discovered in the locally produced gin.

She said outright banning of the gin was a monumental loss to the women who are involved in the sale and distribution of the product, more so as it has become a part of their source of income from which they cater for their families.

*Photo shows Gov. Okowa

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