The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has criticized the proposed nationwide ban on sachet products, asserting that such a prohibition would lead to increased job losses within the manufacturing sector. 

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, MAN President Francis Meshioye expressed concern about the plan put forth by the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control to eliminate sachet drinks.

Meshioye emphasized the importance of consulting stakeholders before making decisions that impact the manufacturing industry, stating that unilateral actions by the government without proper consultation are not the most effective regulatory approach.

He remarked, “The best thing is to bring all stakeholders on board. They should understand – how will it affect them? Is that the best way to go about it? The government should not just wake up and do things. They should call for stakeholder meetings and declare the intention of doing things and explain why it should be done. They should ask for our opinion.”

Meshioye further argued that the government should focus on job creation rather than contributing to unemployment, urging a more innovative approach to address concerns related to sachet products.

In a recent statement, NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye linked the proposed ban to the uncontrolled access to high-concentration alcohol in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles, citing concerns about substance and alcohol abuse in Nigeria.

The Distillers And Blenders Association of Nigeria, a sub-sector of MAN, joined the discourse by addressing a letter to NAFDAC, urging the Federal Government to reconsider the plan to phase out alcohol in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate bottles. 

They warned that proceeding with the ban could have a significant economic impact, estimating potential losses of over N500 billion in direct investment and N800 billion in indirect investments.

Comprising over 24 corporate organizations, DIBAN appealed to the Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, emphasizing the need to safeguard businesses and prevent the potential layoff of 80 percent of the workforce. The association called on the government to instruct NAFDAC to assess the repercussions of job losses on the employment market and reconsider the proposed plan.