Sachet Drinks Ban Wahala: NLC, Distillers Beg NAFDAC Make Dem Hear Local Manufacturers

As sachet drinks ban dey trend like hot akara, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and alcohol distillers don clear throat ask NAFDAC make dem calm down small. Dem say the ban, as e be so, fit scatter small businesses wey dey survive on sachet packaging, especially local manufacturers wey no get muscle like big companies.

For street level, sachet drinks no be luxury—na survival. From suya joints to naming ceremonies, sachet dey everywhere. NLC talk say if government no reason am well, plenty workers go collect sudden “go home” letter, and unemployment go add extra spoon for already full pot.

NLC Talk Say Workers No Be Collateral Damage

NLC no dey argue say regulation bad o, but dem dey shout say make government balance am well. According to dem, ban wey no get soft landing na like using sledgehammer kill mosquito. Workers for sachet factories go suffer first, while families go feel am later.

Dem also remind NAFDAC say local manufacturers dey try comply with rules, but money no dey fall from sky. If dem rush ban without transition plan, na workers go pay the price, not policy makers. As dem talk am for pidgin tongue—“Make regulation no turn punishment.”

NLC, Distillers Beg: ‘Give Us Time, No Be Cut-and-Join’

Distillers too don enter the matter, say dem no against safer packaging or public health rules. But dem dey beg make NAFDAC give timeline wey get sense. Transition from sachet to alternative packaging cost money, and local distillers no get bank alert like multinational giants.

Dem add small humor say, “You no fit wake up one morning say sachet don die—abeg allow burial arrangement first.” Their main ask be consultation, gradual implementation, and support for local players so industry no collapse like badly stacked crates.