NEWS
Alcohol Ban: Investments Worth N800bn may be Lost – Stakeholders
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The ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and pet bottles less than 200ml may cause manufacturers and other stakeholders across the food and beverages value chain to lose investments worth over N800 billion.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) expressed the concern at a joint news conference in Lagos on Friday.
Reports says that the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has banned production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and pet bottles of less than 200ml, with effect Jan.
31.According to NAFDAC, the ban is in line with an agreement reached by a tripartite committee set up in 2018 by the Federal Ministry of Health.
The Executive Secretary of DIBAN, Mr John Ichue, at the press conference, called on the Federal Government to prevail on NAFDAC to reverse the ban.
“This is to avert a colossal loss on investments in machines, raw materials and financial resources and also save 5.5 million direct and indirect persons earning their livelihood from the business,” he said.
According to Ichue, manufacturers have great respect for NAFDAC; hence, the need for them to reach a common ground to address underage consumption of alcoholic beverages and business concerns of players in the wine and spirits sector.
“Some of the money invested in the sector were borrowed from banks, and many of the companies have procured raw materials that would last them for the next four or five years.
“More than 25 companies in wine and spirits sector in the country may be forced to close shop if President Bola Tinubu does not intervene in reversing the ban,” he said.
The Chairman of DIBAN, Mr Patrick Anegbe, said that the association had always preached responsible drinking and had mounted media campaigns on radio and television, kicking against underage consumption of alcoholic beverages in sachets.
Anegbe, also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Intercontinental Distillers, said that DIBAN was concerned about the health of underage consumers of alcohol beverages.
He, however, said that elimination of underage consumption of alcoholic beverages could be achieved through access control rather than outright ban.
“Through access control mechanism, the underage will be safeguarded, businesses will remain and our members and suppliers in the value chains in the sector will retain their jobs.
“I call on the president to intervene immediately; otherwise, many jobs are on the line,” he said.
He appealed to Tinubu to consider those who had heavily invested in the sector.
The CEO of Stellar Beverage, Mr Gandhi Anandan, said that the ban might trigger irresponsible drinking and make consumers drink heavily if they could not have access to smaller quantities.
“While alcohol, like any other product, must be consumed in moderation, if we take away the size from responsible drinking, we are not being fair to anyone,” he said.
Mr Wale Majaolagbe, CEO of Grand Oak Industries, said that distilled wine and spirits had not been pinned down as causes of death of any individual.
“NAFDAC should not be insensitive to the hardship Nigerians are going through by imposing this ban,” Majaolagbe said.
Earlier, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director- General of MAN, said that the association was deeply concerned about the ban.
Ajayi-Kadir said that the bank would impact negatively on manufacturers, workers, the citizenry and the economy.
He said that following previous concerns, stakeholders collaborated to enlighten citizens on responsible consumption by supporting the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC to undertake advocacy, messaging, training and education of the public.
He said that during the period, DIBAN spent over one billion naira on campaigns to ensure zero consumption of alcoholic beverages by underage, and promote responsible use among adults.
“Furthermore strategic moves were made to identify factors that affect irresponsible consumption of alcoholic beverages and identify factors responsible for underage drinking in Nigeria.
“We also moved to implement strategies guided by best global practices and national priorities towards strengthening regulatory activities (e.g. access control) and strengthening implementation structures through effective collaboration to ensure sustainability.
“Prior to the investments made by companies in the packaging, distribution, logistics and advertisement of their products, necessary approval were obtained.
“Government must be seen to promote and protect the growth of local industries and jobs and tackle fake, counterfeit and unwholesome alcoholic beverages,” he said.(NAN)
NEWS
Ajuri, Tinubu’s Spokesperson Takes Exit, Cites Mesical Reaaona
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Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a statement in a Abuja that he would proceed on an ” indefinite leave, to deal with ” medical matters” affecting him amd hia immediate family.Hos statement reads: “On Friday, I submittd a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.
While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and family”NEWS
Fuel Crisis: 1000 CSOs Fault Tinubu’s Economic Team, Want Immediate Reconstitution
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By David Torough, Abuja
About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs), on Saturday Faults President Bola Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.Expressing deep concerns over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.
The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review. The CCSOs in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country. “Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added.NEWS
Tension in Makurdi Community as NAF Personnel Demolishes Houses, Destroys Rice Farm
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There is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses and destruction of rice farms in the area allegedly on the directives of senior Air Force officer, Air Commodore Akinbuwa Ayodele.
It was learnt that Commodore Ayodele, who is facing multiple legal actions following dispute over a plot of land located on George Akume Way Makurdi and owned in blatant disregard to the judicial process embarked on destruction of structures on the plot.
Eyewitness said when the equipment arrived no one imagined it was for destruction.
But in a militray- like operation, two flats of two units each, completely roofed, electrified and plumbing work completed were among the structures demolished as the bulldozers rolled over rice farms in the vicinity as well.
It was learnt that last year, a Makurdi High Court presided by Justice Mary Ijohor, granted an order of perpetual injunction, in the same matter, upon application by the supposed owner of the plot and awarded the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) only, as cost. The matter, enforcement of fundamental rights, was marked as MHC/582/M/2023.
Godwin Akor whose rice farm was destroyed in a chat with newsmen said that he was shocked at the development. He however said he won’t speak more on the matter as it is still before the court.