MAN seeks lifting of sachet alcohol ban

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has emphasized its call that the government should end the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks.

The Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, told journalists on Wednesday, June 20, 2024, that the government needs to lift the ban to put an end to further job loss and keep distillers in business.

However, the Director-General of National Food and Drug Administration Control, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, also stated that the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks was still on and had not yet been called off after it was reported on June 15 that the House Committee on NAFDAC, which investigated the agency’s ban on February 1, 2024, and concluded that it was “untimely given the current economic realities”.

Adeyeye, added that the ban on sachet alcohol was a ministerial directive which “remains until the Minister (of Health) responds”.

The MAN DG, Ajayi-Kadir said the association continues to be hopeful that the continuation of the discussion would result in a termination of the ban.

The MAN DG asked NAFDAC to take a critical look at the possible consequences of the ban, not only on the alcoholic beverages industry but also on the workers in the industry.