The Association of Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) don raise alarm say government dey scatter plenty taxes and arbitrary levies for food and beverage sector, wey fit affect survival of companies.

Their president, Chinedum Okereke, yan this matter during their 47th Annual General Meeting for Lagos, stressing say this sector dey important for job creation, public health and economic growth.He call for government to dey collaborate with businesses, and make policies wey go support, no weaken dem.Companies dey struggle with high operational costs and multiple charges from government agencies without proper consultation.

AFBTE also reject proposed ban for selling alcoholic drinks in sachets and small PET bottles, saying e fit reduce investment, increase unemployment and even reduce government revenue.

Okereke request government to give incentives and relief packages for manufacturers wey dey face production cost wahala, forex issues, and poor infrastructure.He also suggest more Free Trade Zones to support long-standing companies.Treasurer Osaro Omogiade yan say association income don rise to N165.45m in 2025 due to better returns on money market investments, though expenditure also rise.

Overall, AFBTE dey push for better dialogue with government, more support for manufacturers, and policies based on evidence and data rather than arbitrary decisions.