‘Save our jobs’ — Distillers protest in Lagos over ban of alcohol in sachets

Employees of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) have staged a protest at the office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The protest was held at the Lagos office of NAFDAC in the Isolo area of the state.

On Tuesday, members of the association were seen with placards with several inscriptions such as “Let poor Nigerians breathe”, “Let beverage workers breathe”.

Also chanting “Save our jobs”, the protesters demanded a reversal of the ban on sachet alcoholic beverages.

JUST IN: Distillers Protest Sachet Alcohol Ban At NAFDAC Office https://t.co/3U8Zs1UKRF pic.twitter.com/N7nMx8nkVy

— Channels Television (@channelstv) February 20, 2024

On February 5, 2024, the NAFDAC had banned the production of alcohol in sachets and pet bottles of less than 200ml.

Speaking on the directive, Kazeem Adeniran, NAFDAC assistant chief regulation officer, investigation and enforcement, said the ban was in line with the agreement reached by a tripartite committee set up in 2018 by the federal ministry of health.

The decision had since led to various reactions, including from civil society groups, and manufacturers.

Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director-general of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), had said the ban would affect jobs.

He said the move has no health implications but rather would have a negative impact on the economy.