NLC, TUC, FOBTOB Acusse NAFDAC DG of Destroying Indigenous Industries With Multinational Companies

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Following the NAFDAC policy on banning Sachets, and pet alcoholic drinks in Nigeria, the Food Beverages and Tobacco Senior Staff Association( FOBTOB) National Union of Food Beverages and Tobacco Employees (NUFBE) in conjunction with the Trade Union Congress TUC and Nigeria Labour Congressress NLC have accused the Director General of NAFDAC of conniving with multinational companies ti destroy the indigenous and local industry.

The TUC and NLC chairman Comrade, Hakeem Lasisi and Comrade Ademola Benco with others in their number protested at the Ogun State House of Assembly and the palace of Alake and paramount ruler of Egba land Oba Adedotum Gbadebo on Wednesday, registered their displeasure on the ban policy of sachets and pets alcohol.

Part of the inscriptions on the placards include: “What we are saying is that this policy is anti-people the DG NAFFAC should be suspended because he has colluded with the international company. “Sachet and pet bottles is not the problem, the poor regulation is the problem” “The government of Bola Tinubu should not let NAFDAC plunge Nigerians into poverty” and “Let alcohol beverage workers breathe let Nigeria breathe”. etc…

Speaking at the protest, the TUC chairman in Ogun state, Comrade Hakeem Lasisi said the policy is anti-people, adding that if the policy stands it would force over 500,000 workers to plunge back into the labour market.

He posited that most of the companies producing this alcohol pay millions of naira into the account of the Ogun State as part of their revenue, while also appealing that most of the machinery being used by the company will become useless as they have no second value.

In the same development, the NLC chairman in Ogun state, Comrade Ademola Benco also pointed out that there are about 500,000 direct employees and over 2 million indirect employees working for these companies, if the policy stands the direct employees will be forced into labour marker and indirect employees will become unemployed.

He also argued that the machinery and equipment would be useless if the companies were folded up.

He called on the NAFDAC to find another way of resolving the issue, instead of trying to target a particular sector that feeds millions of people in Nigeria.

Benco noted that they should go on the enlightenment way instead of attacking, while accusing the Director General of NAFDAC Prof. Buchi Adeyeye of colluding with multinational companies to destroy the indigenous and local industries in the country.

He demanded that the NAFDAC DG be suspended immediately.

While addressing the protesters, the Speaker House of Assembly Ogun state, Hon. Oludaisi Elemide admonished them to put all their agitation into writing, assuring that in his capacity as the speaker would deliberate on it with other members.

He also, assured that the state governor too would give a listening ear to their agitation and relate it with contemporaries in the House of Reps and Senate body to find a lasting solution to the issue.