“Looking at the overall economic objectives of satchets alcohol ban, where do you throw the jobs that would be lost in that sector?”
This question was thrown at the NAFDAC, by the Director-General of NECA, Mr Wale Smatt-Oyerinde.
Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) is a member of the Organises Private Sector (OPS) .
The association faulted the ban on alcohol sold in sachets and small bottles, warning that the policy could worsen smuggling and lead to job losses.
” A blanket ban was not the appropriate solution to concerns surrounding the products”, said Smatt-Oyerinde.
He said that such a measure could open more opportunities for smugglers, particularly given Nigeria’s more than 1,000 unmanned entry and exit points.
He emphasised that the ban poses serious risks to the economy, as it could result in the loss of jobs and investments across the value chain.
Smatt-Oyerinde said that the government and the regulators should be worried about the rate of unemployment, worried about the business investment that will be lost and ; worried about the consequences of the message we are communicating to other investors.”
He added that banning sachet alcohol would also create additional challenges for law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the wider economy.
