During a plenary session on Wednesday, the House of Representatives directed its committee on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to investigate the recent ban imposed on the production of beverages in sachets and small bottles in Nigeria by the agency.
The motion, brought forward by members Paschal Agbodike and Philip Agbese, aimed to address concerns raised following NAFDAC’s decision to implement the ban in January this year.
Citing constitutional authority, Agbodike stressed the role of the National Assembly in legislating for the order and good governance of the Federation, as outlined in Section 4(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Additionally, Sections 88(1) and no(2) were invoked, granting the National Assembly the power to conduct investigations into the activities of entities like NAFDAC.
Agbodike argued that the ban contradicts the Economic Recovery Plan of the current administration and expressed worries about its potential adverse effects on the economy, including significant job losses.
Emphasizing the importance of supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which constitute a significant portion of Nigeria’s workforce, Agbodike cautioned against the unintended consequences of the ban, such as the proliferation of unregulated production.
The motion, aimed at addressing both the economic and constitutional implications of the ban, was referred to the Committee on NAFDAC for further legislative review.
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