By OKECHUKWU PEACE
Brewery giant, Guinness Nigeria Plc has been ordered to pay N1bn fine redeemable in two weeks “for various clandestine violations of NAFDAC rules, regulations and enactments over a long period of time.”
The agency directed Guinness to ensure the payment of the N1bn within two weeks of the receipt of its letter.
In a letter referenced ENFD/7218/Vol. 1/85 and dated November 9, 2015 addressed to the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc by the Head, Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC, Mr. Kingsley Ejiofor, the regulatory agency requested for the payment of the N1bn as administrative charges for infractions such as the destruction activities carried out by the company without the authorisation and supervision of the agency.
Guinness was also accused of revalidating expired products without authorisation and supervision by NAFDAC, as well as failing to secure the gate of its warehouse as the raw materials used in the production of beer and non-alcoholic beverages by the firm were permanently opened to intrusion and exposure to the elements and rodents, which “invariably affect the integrity of the raw materials.”
The brewer was also alleged to maintain poor documentation record and not complying with conditions contained in the certificate of validation of the revalidated malt extract, which required the storage of the items in cool and dry place, and elimination of exposure to sunlight.
In a statement made available to our correspondents on Wednesday, Guinness said it was in receipt of the letter from NAFDAC and the demand for the payment of N1bn for certain alleged regulatory infractions.
