Sachet Alcoholic Ban: 500,000 Nigerians will Lose Jobs, Says MAN

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria says the ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks by the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration will cost the Nigerian economy 500,000 jobs.

In a statement signed by the Director-General, MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the body said it was concerned about the recent ban imposed on spirit drinks in sachets and PET bottles less than 200ml.

It noted that going back in time to when NAFDAC first proposed the ban, critical stakeholders including key members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria raised concerns in a letter dated November 11, 2018.

Part of the objections raised by DIBAN in the letter was that the assertion that the segmentation or packaging of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles was responsible for the reported increase of alcohol use among the underage was unfounded.

It maintained that packaging and sales of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles is not the reason for the irresponsible use of the product in terms of quantity, intoxication and other menaces.

DIBAN warned that implementing the ban was going to damage local manufacturing and negatively affect the economy, as well as the social well-being of the people of Nigeria.