FG Bans The Sale & Consumption Of Local Gin

The Federal Government on Monday banned the
consumption of local gin, popularly called Ogogoro
in all parts of the country.
The decision was sequel to deaths in Rivers and
Ondo states due to food poisoning allegedly caused
by the consumption of local gin.
The government however confirmed that the death
toll in Rivers State had risen to 38 and 18 in Ode-
Irele, Ondo State, following the consumption of local
gin.
The Director-General of National Agency for Food and
Drugs Administration and Control, Dr. Paul Orhii, in
his reaction to the death of 38 persons in Rivers
State, told journalists that the recent incidents in the
state and that of Ode-Irele, in Ondo State were
associated with the consumption of locally made
gin.
According to him, considering the risk in the
consumption of locally made gin, it has become
imperative to “warn the public to desist from the
consumption of unregistered locally made spirits
(Ogogoro) and other unregistered bitters.”
Orhii also warned that government “would confiscate
all illegally brewed alcoholic beverages” across the
country.
The NAFDAC boss also recommended “immediate
reporting and evacuation to the nearest tertiary
health institution as quick intervention can save
lives.”
He said the NAFDAC team me with the Ondo State
Commissioner for Health and Director of Diagnostic
Services and an official of the World Health
Organisation, who visited Ode-Irele to obtain first
hand information.
He added, “A preliminary investigation by the
National Centre for Disease Control and WHO, ruled
out any infectious diseases and confirmed the
possibility of poisoning as the cause and in turn
advised NAFDAC to conduct further investigation.
“The symptoms suffered by victims included
vomiting, abdominal pain, blurred vision, headache,
dizziness and loss of consciousness with
subsequent sudden deaths of 18 victims.”
Orhii, who was joined by the Director of NCDC, Prof.
Abdulrahman Nasidi, explained that all indications
showed that “these symptoms are the hallmark signs
of methanol poisoning.”

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