House of Representatives has directed a five-year temporary suspension on the ban of sachet alcohol, water and other consumables in the country.
The deputy chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon Phillip Agbese made this known during a press briefing at the National Assembly in Abuja on Friday.
According to Agbese, the House is more concerned about current economic circumstances in the country than the ban.
He recalled that the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, had earlier in the year banned sachet alcoholic drinks and water in the country.
The House, he said, had engaged the director-general of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, among other stakeholders, before the five years suspension was reached.
It would be recalled that the House Committee on NAFDAC had recently accused the the management of the agency of high headedness, for allegedly refusing to suspend the ban on sachet alcohol among other items as directed by the committee.
Chairman of the House Committee on NAFDAC, Hon. Regina Akume had earlier last month during a press briefing informed newsmen that NAFDAC’s refusal to suspend the ban was tantamount to outright disregard to the rule of law and that of the parliament.
Agbese maintained that unemployment rate in the country is staggering with a soaring inflation rate while poverty level is on the increase with paucity of FOREX to do business, adding that these were common factors that necessitated the temporary suspension.
He disclosed that earlier next month, the committee will still meet to assess the development.
