The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have jointly called for the suspension of NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, amidst uproar over the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks. Accusations flew, alleging collusion with multinational companies to stifle local alcohol producers.
In a robust demonstration held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, leaders of both unions vehemently protested what they termed an “anti-people policy” by NAFDAC. With banners and chants filling the air, members of the Food Beverages and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) and the National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employees (NUFBE) joined the fray, denouncing the ban as detrimental to local industries and the economy at large.
The ban, enforced by NAFDAC, targets the production, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below. This move sparked outrage among distillers and labor unions nationwide, triggering repeated protests and shutdowns of non-compliant factories.
Speaking at the Ogun State House of Assembly, Akeem Lasisi, TUC Chairman, warned of dire consequences if the ban persisted. He lamented potential job losses totaling over 500,000 and projected economic losses surpassing N800 billion. Lasisi argued that the ban disproportionately affects Nigerian workers and could cripple the local economy, calling for Adeyeye’s suspension over alleged collusion with multinational corporations.
Echoing Lasisi’s sentiments, Hammed Ademola Benco, NLC Chairman, urged state legislatures to intervene and pressure NAFDAC to rescind the ban, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard the manufacturing sector.
In response, the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, pledged to engage federal authorities on behalf of the protesters, promising to advocate for a reconsideration of the ban. The demonstration culminated in a closed-door meeting between union representatives and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, where further discussions on the ban’s ramifications ensued.
With tensions running high and concerns mounting over the ban’s impact on local industries and livelihoods, the call for NAFDAC’s Director General’s suspension reflects a broader sentiment among labor unions and industry stakeholders demanding accountability and transparency in policymaking. As protests continue to intensify, all eyes remain on federal authorities to address the grievances raised by affected parties and chart a path forward that balances public health concerns with economic stability.
