The House of Representatives has directed its Committee on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to investigate the reasons for and circumstances surrounding the regulatory agency’s restriction on the production of beverages in sachets and tiny bottles in Nigeria.
The MPs’ resolution followed the acceptance of a motion moved by Hon. Paschal Agbodike and Hon. Philip Agbese at the plenary on Wednesday.
Moving the motion titled “Need to suspend the ban imposed by NAFDAC on the production of beverages in sachets,” Hon. Agbodike stated that Section 4(2) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution, 1999 (as amended), empowers the National Assembly to make laws for the order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof.
He further stated that Sections 88(1) and (2) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution, 1999 (as amended), authorize the National Assembly to conduct investigations into the operations of any authority that executes or administers legislation enacted by the National Assembly.
He recalled that NAFDAC announced its decision to discontinue the registration of beverages in small sachets and bottles in January 2024, when the Agency’s Director-General informed the public that the agency would ensure that the validity of renewals of already registered products did not exceed January 2024.
The senator voiced worry that the move to limit the registration of beverages in small sachets and bottles violates both the spirit and text of the Constitution, as well as the present administration’s Economic Recovery Plan.
Agbodike further voiced concern that, considering the various economic issues that impoverished Nigerians face, the restriction on the production of the aforementioned beverages may wreak even more chaos and result in job losses for more than half of all workers in Nigeria.
He stated that the House was aware of the need to promote the sustainability of Nigeria’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and that NAFDAC’s policy prohibiting the production of beverages in small sachets and bottles would be counterproductive.
He further stated that the House was aware that the decision to prohibit the production of beverages in small sachets and bottles would encourage unscrupulous elements to manufacture such drinks and products without the approval of NAFDAC.
Agbodike added that the ban on the registration of beverages in small sachets and bottles will cause hardship for Nigerians whose livelihoods depend on the production and sale of such beverages, and will, in the long run, plunge more Nigerians into unemployment and economic hardship, exacerbating their suffering in light of the current subsidy removal regime.
The members approved the resolution, giving the House Committee four weeks to conduct the probe and report back for additional legislative action.