I was wrong about my
view on the recent ban on ogogoro, the locally-brewed gin that caused the death of many in Rivers State recently. I had supported the action of the federal government in outlawing both its production and consumption, perhaps because of my deep religious inclination.
I must confess that I have a very deep bias against it, not only because of my religious convictions, but for the havoc it caused someone that was dear to me, who against all entreaties, continued in it and died from it eventually. So, when the disbandment was proclaimed, my spirit lifted for joy.
But a recent argument against its ban by dealers in the product in particular caught my fancy. The dealers contended against the economic implications of government’s action. They want the Nigerian government to provide alternative sources of livelihood for them since the ban will render them jobless.
Now, what are the issues? The federal government on June 8 slammed a nationwide ban on ogogoro also known as kai kai, following a harvest of deaths traced to methanol poisoning of the locally-brewed gin which claimed over70 lives in Rivers State alone and about 18 lives in Ondo State, where a similar incident had occurred earlier. But for the vigilance of the Ondo people who traced the incident to its cause in good time, the casualty would have been much more.
The quest for profiteering by its producers led to all these calamities. Instead of making the drink in its traditional ways, the producers seek ways of increasing its quantity and potency by blending it with chemical substances like methanol thus compromising its purity. The same mixture of substance accounts for the deaths in Ondo State.
In this regard, is the government not right in banning the product since the protection of lives and properties is one of its primary constitutionally-provided responsibilities? Certainly the government is right. And the ban ought to remain until its production is purified and streamlined.
Therefore, there is need for the authorities to bring value in improving the manufacturing process to sustain the age old industry that has put food on the table of many Nigerian families. This is an industry that I think must be enhanced and not killed.
It is unfortunate that the development occurred when the nation is passing through hard times, and when unemployment is at the peak. Local gin is widely produced in the country in a way that if its production is properly harnessed and regulated, it could add immense value to the economy.
There is need to restore the integrity of the local gin to the traditional ways of preparing it with fermented natural grains and palm wine to prevent it from being unsafe for consumption. Also, the producers of the drink should be registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
Although this suggestion may be hard to achieve on the face value, it can be attained if pursued with vigor and aggressiveness accompanied with sustained enlightenment campaigns. With this, consumers will be aware of the new order and be encouraged to uphold it for their personal health and safety.
I sympathize with producers and dealers of the product who currently groan under the weight of its ban by the government. They have to bear with the authorities and realize the danger inherent in consuming the drink now.
Conversely, I would like to believe that the aim of the prohibition is not to render local gin producers jobless or prevent those who take it from doing so. If that is the case, it will be counter-productive in the long run.
The federal government will be deemed wise if it takes advantage of the current challenge in the industry to regulate and package ogogoro for export. But then it must go beyond the subsisting ban to standardize the production of the drink for local consumption and export.

Arnold Alalibo