The Coordinating Minister for the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has pledged that the ministry would make every effort to resolve the complaints brought up by the Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Senior Staff Association members.
ARISE TV reported that, the minister made this statement to association members who had gathered peacefully at the ministry’s Abuja headquarters to protest the prohibition on sachet and pet bottled alcoholic beverages.
The minister, who was accompanied by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Kachallom Daju, pledged to investigate their grievances and devise a plan of action.
The Minister stated in a statement that was signed by the ministry’s Director of Information, Deworitshe Patricia.
“We have heard your grievances, this is a listening government and we are going to discuss with partners, Trade Union Congress and other members on the way forward,” the Minister stated.
The National President of the Food, Beverage & Tobacco Senior Staff Association, Jomoh Oyibo, had earlier in his speech expressed the dissatisfaction of the association with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control ban on the production, distribution, and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets and pet bottles.
He clarified that NAFDAC had recently closed and prohibited more than 25 businesses that produced alcoholic drinks in sachet and pet bottles in order to reduce alcohol misuse, which has a detrimental impact on business owners, dependents, and employees.
He said that the timing of the restriction is inappropriate given Nigeria’s current economic circumstances.
As a result, he made a request to the government for prompt action to lessen the severe circumstances they are now facing.
