Distillers, Labour Unions Protest Sachet Alcohol Ban At NAFDAC Office In Lagos
Members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria staged a protest on Friday at the Lagos State office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets. The demonstration saw distillers joined by workers from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), who marched to the agency’s office holding placards and chanting solidarity songs. Placards carried by the protesters included messages such as “Stop destroying local manufacturers,” “N2 trillion investment deserves protection,” “5.5 million Nigerians cannot be pushed to the streets,” and “The Renewed Hope Agenda must work for all Nigerians.” At the time of reporting, neither the protesters nor NAFDAC officials had addressed the media. The protest is tied to ongoing disputes surrounding the enforcement of the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks, which industry players say threatens local businesses and employment.