The Federal Government says it is to begin massive orientation on the importance of the outright ban on the manufacture, sale and distribution of sachet packaged alcohol.
In a joint news conference by the National Orientation Agency, NOA, the National Agency, for the Administration of Food and Drug Control, NAFDAC and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, the various chief executives said the access to alcohol is constituting a threat to public health, order and safety.
According to a survey on alcohol access conducted by NAFDAC in partnership with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, DIBAN, at least 54.3 percent of the respondents who are underaged persons purchase alcohol themselves from various outlets while 48 percent access alcohol packaged in sachets and pet bottles.
It's on the premise of this fact that the three agencies deemed it neccessary to collaborate to reverse the trend.
Addressing newsmen, the Director General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu said the federal government's decision was not to deny certain businesses from thriving but to protect the sanctity if children who remain the most vulnerable and affected.
Presenting the survey report, the Director-General of NAFDAC Professor Mojisola Adeyeye said binge drinking and alcoholism addiction and other drug related vices were increasing amongst underaged persons and called for the cooperation of the National Assembly and relevant ministries to support it in it's quest to save children from alcohol induced vices.
The Chief Executive of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Mr Tunji Bello represented by the Director Corporate Affairs of the Commission, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu said FCCPC is poised to perform it's role in addressing the worrisome trend of alcohol distribution.
NAFDAC had earlier announced plans to ban the sale and distribution of sachet and pet bottle alcohol in December 2018 with enforcement starting in 2024 to check it's massive access to children
