. Experts counsel on communication
THE decision of the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to begin full enforcement of its ban on sachet alcohol has, expectedly, continued to stir up issues and controversies, among critical stakeholders in the health, manufacturing and even marketing communication ecosystems.
In arriving at the decision, NAFDAC had expressed concerns over the increasing alcohol consumption among minors.
The agency believed that, besides its distractions for the minors, having access to alcoholic beverages at such tender ages are not without implications for public health, and by extension, the economy.
“I am a mother. We know the health implications of consuming these alcoholic contents. We’ve seen many come down with liver cirrhosis, induced by alcohol, and to think that minors and even underaged are having unfettered access to them because of the affordability has made it imperative for us to act,” explained the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, in one of her encounters with the media.
The agency insisted the ban has, therefore, become imperative to curb easy accessibility of alcohol to children.
It clarified that, contrary to claims that companies were being shut down, it was only targeting specific production lines, where these contents were being produced.
But disputing the agency’s claims, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) argued that the reasons given for the ban, were not backed by necessary data and scientific evidence.
The umbrella body of the nation’s manufacturers urged the government to consider a more holistic, data-driven approach that addresses the root cause of alcohol abuse without crippling local industries.
The association warned that the implications of going ahead with the ban would be grave for an ailing sector such as manufacturing, and the nation’s economy.
One of such implications, the association argued, is the likelihood of some of the companies involved in the production of such products folding up, and in consequence, throwing thousands of Nigerians in the sector into the labour market.
The association believes there is no enough evidence and statistics by the agency to back up its claim of the contents going into the wrong hands, an argument the agency has since refuted.
Besides, MAN argued that banning the production of such products in the country would only give room to the influx of adulterated goods, while also opening the door for excessive consumption of the product, since they would only be available in bigger quantities, unlike the sachets.
But to many stakeholders, while the development may seem ‘painful’ for the manufacturing sector, it is not without its gains for the consuming public, and other Nigerians interested in safeguarding the health of the nation.
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Speaking on the development, the Chief Executive Officer, Wealthgate Advisors, Mr. Biyi Adesuyi, believes since public health must always take priority over any business interests, government must be supported in its efforts at checking alcohol abuse among minors and the underaged in the country.
“While every effort must be made at ensuring a conducive environment for businesses, such businesses must, however, not be run at the expense of the health of the nation. Drug and alcohol abuse have destroyed destinies, and allowing such habit to fester among our youths should never be encouraged,” Adesuyi argued.
He faulted the claims by MAN that the exercise might result in job losses and shutting down of some companies, insisting that some of these practices are not even allowed in decent economies.
Attributing the advent of sachet economy or miniaturisation to poverty and the headwinds being experienced on the nation’s economic scene, the Wealthgate Advisors’ boss advised that the manufacturers must be ready to think out of the box, and come up with alternatives that would enhance their business fortunes, but not at the expense of Nigerians’ health.
“In advanced economies, there are some items you can’t buy over the counter. There are some you will be profiled before they sell to you. But since this seems not the case in Nigeria, it is unrealistic to think that government would fold its arms and watch things degenerate,” he added.
Adesuyi would therefore want the government to begin to put its foot down on practices that would endanger the lives of Nigerians.
Interestingly, marketing communication practitioner, Godwin Olaosebikan, attributed the latest development to lack of ‘real communication engagements’ between the two parties.
“The fact remains that there is a challenge here to be tackled. NAFDAC’s fears are not unfounded, and MAN’s warning that the sector may be negatively impacted if the enforcement is carried out is not out of point either. I think what is missing here is for these fears on both sides to be allayed.
“The two parties can simply sit down and communicate, and I believe the focus of such discussion is for the assurance coming from manufacturers that this particular product will get to the wrong hands as we are presently seeing,” he added.
A Public Relations expert, and former Chairman, Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Segun McMedal, also called for further dialogue between the ‘warring parties’.
The former Lagos NIPR boss believes the situation can still be salvaged.
“What should be done is for the two parties to sit down and discuss. In this case, good communication professionals, capable of presenting the issues with more clarity should be involved at both ends,” he said.
But, according to Olaosebikan, there are lessons to be learned. And of such is that of deeper collaborations of both private and public sector.
“Besides, while there are obvious pains to the manufacturers, the fact that the issue is being brought to the fore, for
me, has some benefits. It is now in our consciousness, irrespective of the side of the divide you must have found yourself, we now know that checking such abuse can no longer be left in the hands of government. We have a responsibility as parents, brothers, sisters, and uncles to ensure we play our own part,” he added.
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