By Ohuakanwa Chibuzo
Lagos witnessed a fervent protest led by the Trade Union Council (TUC), Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB), and National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) at the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The demonstration aimed to contest the recent ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets.
Idogen Emmanuel, Vice Chairman of TUC, Lagos chapter, spearheaded the protest, condemning the government’s decision as detrimental to struggling families. He criticized the prevailing economic policies, citing recent measures like subsidy removal and forex regulations, which have exacerbated the challenges faced by the populace.
Emmanuel highlighted the adverse impact of the ban on employment, emphasizing that numerous families depend on the sachet alcohol industry for their livelihoods. He underscored the difficulties in sourcing raw materials due to forex regulations, making survival increasingly precarious for local companies.
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FOBTOB and NUFBTE jointly issued a statement addressed to the Director General of NAFDAC, expressing their discontent. They lamented that the ban has resulted in the displacement of over 500,000 workers, further saturating an already strained labor market. They also criticized the harsh business environment in Nigeria, which has prompted many companies to relocate, exacerbating economic challenges.
The protest underscored the concerns of workers and industry stakeholders regarding the ban’s adverse effects on employment and the economy, calling for a reconsideration of the government’s decision.