Ota Chamber Of Commerce Backs Manufacturers, Condemns NAFDAC’s Sachet Alcohol Ban
ABEOKUTA – Ota Parapo Chamber Of Commerce, Industry, Mines And Agriculture (OPCCIMA) has joined well meaning Nigerians and organizations in condemning the action of NAFDAC on the ban of the sale of alcoholic beverages in sachet and PET bottles below 200 millilitres.
The group in a press statement issued at Sango Ota on Thursday by its pioneer President, Kayode Bowale regarded the production of sachet alcoholic drinks as an innovative way of reaching the low income adult consumers of alcohol products.
The chamber argued that all organizations within and outside food and beverages are doing everything to reach consumers in view of the current terrible economic conditions which has sent a lot of Nigerians below the poverty line.
OPCCIMA noted that the country is presently facing low level of industrial development, especially in the area of indigenous industry due to a lot of socio- economic challenges.
Bowale lamented that, it is unfortunate that the few indigenous entrepreneurs who are trying to cope with the economic situation, are being discouraged by an Agency set up to work with individuals and industries to ensure the sustainability of the economic development of the country.
He said, “No country can survive if indigenous industries are crippled by draconian law that only increases the burden of local industries. In no distance time, if NAFDAC does not stop the implementation of this action, many of these manufacturing companies would lay off workers. This situation would worsen the youth unemployment situation, and would increase the poverty rate.
“This would in turn lower the aggregate demand and adversely affect inclusive growth. The whole issue should be viewed holistically.”
The chamber described as unfortunate, a situation where NAFDAC flagrantly disobeyed the directive of the House of Representatives and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, putting the action on hold.
OPCCIMA posited that constituted authorities must be respected, calling on NAFDAC to halt its enforcement action on the banning of sachet alcoholic drinks.
