The House of Representatives has directed its committee on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to investigate the reasons behind the ban on the production of beverages in sachets and small bottles in Nigeria imposed by the agency.
This decision was made as a result of a motion moved on the floor of the Green Chamber by Hon. Paschal Agbodike and Hon. Philip Agbese while the plenary in session on Wednesday.
Recall in January , NAFDAC implemented a ban on the production of beverages in small sachets and bottles, citing concerns related to drug abuse, particularly among young Nigerians.
During the debate on the motion, Agbodike highlighted that Section 4(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), grants the National Assembly authority to enact laws for the governance of the Federation or its parts.
He further emphasized that Sections 88(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), grant the National Assembly authority to conduct investigations into the operations of any body implementing laws established by the National Assembly, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
He said, “NAFDAC had announced its decision to stop the registration of beverages in small sachets and bottles in January 2024 when the Director General of the Agency informed the public that the agency will ensure that the validity of renewal of already registered products will not exceed January 2024.
“The decision to ban the registration of beverages in small sachets and bottles runs counter to the spirit and letter of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and runs against the Economic Recovery Plan of the current administration.”
He contended that the House is concerned about the multitude of economic difficulties facing the poor Nigerians.
, “The ban on the production of the said beverages will work more havoc and cause job losses for over 50 per cent of the workers in Nigeria.”
Narrating further ,“The need to encourage the sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises which are the greatest employer of labour in Nigeria, employing over 84 per cent of the workforce in Nigeria, NAFDAC’s policy to place a ban on the production of beverages in small sachets and bottles will be counterproductive.
“The decision to place a ban on the production of beverages in small sachets and bottles will encourage unscrupulous elements to go about the production of such drinks and products without recourse to NAFDAC.
He elaborated that the prohibition on registering beverages in small sachets and bottles would exacerbate the poverty situation in the nation.
The motion was then forwarded to the Committee on NAFDAC for additional legislative review.