Edo committee sets Sept 20 deadline for sachet gin dealers

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By Ozioruva Aliu

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BENIN CITY — The Edo State Consumer Protection Committee (ESCPC) has given dealers in sachet gin until September 20, 2026, to stop selling the products or face legal consequences.

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The committee announced the deadline on Monday following its recent public notice on the enforcement of the ban on the sale of sachet drinks by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

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The decision was reached at a meeting between the committee’s management and representatives of the United Beverages Dealers Association and the Edo State Sachet Alcohol Beverages Distributors Association.

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The unions had appealed for an extension of the initial September 7 deadline to December 30, 2026.

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However, in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and coordinators of the committee, Iyamu Culture; Edo South Coordinator, Mrs Osaghae Oghogho; Edo North Coordinator, Mr Eshsimua Charles; and Edo Central Coordinator, Mr Audu Solomon, the committee rejected the December extension.

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It, however, granted a grace period until September 20 to allow dealers to return existing stocks of sachet gin to their manufacturers.

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The statement said the committee remained committed to protecting consumers’ rights and promoting product standards in line with NAFDAC directives.

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It added: “The appeal for extension is partially granted. Dealers are given a grace period from September 7 to September 20, 2026, to return all sachet gin products in their custody to their manufacturers.

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“Within this grace period, no dealer or individual is permitted to resell sachet gin products in their custody. Products must only be returned.

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“No person or group is permitted to harass dealers of sachet gin within the approved extension period.

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“Full-scale enforcement and compliance operations will commence on September 21, 2026, across the 18 local government areas of Edo State.”

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The committee urged all dealers to take advantage of the grace period to comply, stressing that consumer safety remained its priority.

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