The House of Representatives has ordered the suspension of the ban imposed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the sale of Sachet alcoholic drinks.

The decision followed the adoption of the report of the Mrs Regina Akume-led committee on NAFDAC at the plenary presided over by the deputy Speaker of the House, Mr Benjamin Kalu.

The House justified the position on the basis that the timing of the ban is inappropriate given the fact that the economy is struggling, the unemployment rate is staggering, and the inflation rate is soaring while the poverty level is on the increase with the paucity of forex to do business.

Nevertheless, the lawmakers directed that the ban on sachet alcohol should be replaced with the following prescribed regulations and access control:

These measures entail the establishment of licenced liquor stores/outlets in Local Government Areas across the country, making it unlawful to send underage persons to purchase alcoholic beverages, and tightening enforcement by law enforcement agencies.

Other measures includes increased monitoring and compliance checks by NAFDAC, FCCPC, and others to ensure strict product quality in terms of content and safety, that producers of sachet alcohol should expose the dangers associated with the abuse of alcohol

Sachet products, by boldly inscribing and enumerating the danger on the packs, as obtained in the case of tobacco.

The House also directed that government regulatory bodies should place more emphasis on regulation, monitoring and

Enlightenment campaign to educate stakeholders and the general public on the dangers of underage consumption of alcohol and its sales in motor parks.

The House further directed that an enlightenment campaign should be carried out in secondary schools across the country, as practiced by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to educate students on dangers and vices associated with the abuse of alcohol; that task parents, religious bodies and Non -Governmental Organisation (NGOs) should be tasked to counsel their children or wards,especially the underage, on the dangers of alcohol consumption.

And that regulatory mechanisms should be strengthened to ensure enforcement and compliance; and encourage legislation promoting recycling materials for green economy and minimizing importation of raw materials used in producing pet bottles and sachets to conserve Foreign Exchange (FOREX). (The Guardian)

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