Protest Rocks Lagos Assembly Over Ban of Sachet Alcohol Beverages

A protest is ongoing at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa on Wednesday following the ban of alcoholic beverages in 200 ml below by the National Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC.

The protest is led by the Labour and Trade Unions under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Food and Beverages, Tobacco Senior Staff Association Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.

Speaking at the protest ground, an unidentified member appealed to the House of Assembly members to reverse the ban as it affects millions of Nigerians in the country.

“We know that the House of Assembly will not fold its hand while Nigerians are forced into debt. We have insecurity, bandits, and kidnapping in Lagos is now the norm against the relative experienced before. This is because of joblessness. Presently, we have millions of voters in different places in the country producing premium spirits. These are products that are well-refined to meet the consumption of Nigerians.”

On Monday, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that the ban on the sachet of alcoholic beverages was to curb the abuse of drugs.

She alleged that children and the under-aged are culprits of sachet alcohol while citing a report from the World Health Organization that stated that children who have an early introduction to alcohol are likely to abuse drugs and be involved in illegal activities.