In spite of the recent ban
on consumption of the popular illicit gin, Ogogoro, by the Federal Government following rampant deaths of its consumers, Ogogoro business still booms in Rivers State.
Our correspondent who visited some of the areas especially the water fronts reports that production, sales and consumption of the product goes on unhindered.
Among the local government areas covered were Etche, Omuma, Ikwerre, Emohua, Oyigbo, Khana and Gokana, Ahoada West and Abua.
Interaction with some of the those involved indicate that they are indifferent to the ban placed on the product as they believe that the product is not a killer agent but rather methanol which is the chemical substance mixed up in the name of Ogogoro is the problem.
One  of the respondents who identified himself as, Ledogo, said, “it is funny to say Ogogoro is banned. Do you know how many people that depend on brewing the drink to train their children? I think that government should be specific in handling the issue by arresting those involved instead of disturbing innocent persons.
Ledogo, an indigene of Gokana said, the business was passed on to his father through his grand father before he took over from his own father and blamed the problem on greed and urged agents of the government to go hard on those adulterating the gin with dangerous chemicals.
“We are not even happy with those dealing on such adulterated Ogogoro because they spoil our own business”, he said.
In Omuma local government area, one of the respondents, Obinna, blamed the situation on institutional failure.
“It means that the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and relevant agencies are not doing their job well because the use of methanol and ethanol in the adulteration of local gin is not new. Why did they have to wait until such illegal act kill innocent Nigerians before government took action? He queried.
He said outright ban on Ogogoro is not the best approach and wondered how traditional weddings and activities, some of which cannot go on without Ogogoro would be handled.
“Outright ban on Ogogoro would only end up in displacing people from their business especially now that unemployment is a major problem or is government ready to provide job to us”, he said.

Our correspondent