The House Committee made this decision known after the
public hearing on the NAFDAC ban on the 22nd February 2024 at the National
Assembly Complex where the House Committee members including the Chairperson,
Hon. Regina Akume; the Deputy Chairman, Hon. Idu Obiajulu; the Hon Minister of
State for Health, Hon Tunji Alausa; the NAFDAC DG, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye; the
DG of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi- Kadir,
representatives of the Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employers and Distillers
and Blenders Association of Nigeria; representatives of the spirits and
alcoholic drinks producers; officials of the Nigerian Police Force; Customs and
Excise; Federal Road Safety Corps; organised labour and civil society were
present.
After hearing the NAFDAC DG who claimed that the ban was
imposed to protect the health and welfare of the children, youths and other
vulnerable groups, the House Committee aligned itself with the views of the
producers, civil society and organised labour that the unemployment and
hardship being occasioned by the closure of factories as a result of the ban
far outweighed the health concerns of NAFDAC.
The House members also observed that the proper step is to
put access control procedures in place to prevent children and youths from
consuming the alcoholic contents of the sachet and pet bottles.
With this in mind, the House Committee moved for the
suspension of the NAFDAC ban pending the outcome of its investigation and duly
adjourned its proceeding.