The Edo State Government has declined appeals by the United Beverages Dealers Association and Edo State Sachet Alcohol Beverages Distributors Association to extend the deadline for the sale of sachet gin to December 30, 2026.
It said the sachet alcohol dealers made the request following the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum given to them to remove the products from the market by September 7, 2026.
Chairman of the Management Committee of the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee, Osaro Iyamu, said he rejected the dealers’ request after an extensive meeting.
Iyamu said the committee instead opted to grant a two-week extension for dealers to return all sachet gin products in their custody to their manufacturers on or before September 20, 2026.
Iyamu, who spoke to journalists after meeting with the dealers, said full-scale enforcement and compliance operations would commence on September 21, 2026, across the 18 local government areas of Edo State.
According to him, ‘Representatives jointly requested an extension from September 7 to December 30, 2026, to enable them to sell off existing stock of sachet gin in their custody, citing various factors.’
‘After extensive deliberation and consultations, the Management Committee ruled that the committee remains committed to protecting the rights of consumers and promoting product standards in line with NAFDAC directives.’
‘Within this grace period, no dealer or individual is permitted to resell sachet gin products in their custody. Products must only be returned to producers. No person or group is permitted to harass dealers of sachet gin within the approved extension period.
‘Consumer safety remains our priority: protecting consumers, building trust and promoting standards.’