Anxiety Over Plans To Ban Alcohol In Zaria

A proposal to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol in Sabon Gari Local Government Area in Kaduna State is raising anxiety within the area. Sabon Gari is part of the old Zaria Local Government Area and is mostly dominated by non-indigenes.

However, the political authority in the area is held by indigenes of the area. The Local Government Area also has jurisdiction over the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The local authorities have now moved to ban the sale of alcohol including the local brew consumed by the poor popularly called burukutu and pito.

The proposal is coming vide a proposed local government law which aims to ban the total consumption of alcohol in the area which

The local government council had in that direction invited submissions from Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) through a letter dated October 21, 2019.

Remarkably, both religious organisations agreed that none of the two religions advocate consumption of alcohol but both bodies called for caution in the consideration of the law.

The proposal was, however, flatly rejected by hotel owners and alcohol sellers who saw it as a move to crush their businesses.

The group of local sellers which was represented by Richard Sanka, in its presentation said that it would worsen the fate of the sellers who are mostly widows.

The hoteliers were, however, more firm in rejecting the proposal saying it was a violation of the local government laws for the authorities to go into the act of proposing the ban.

Represented by Mr. Daniel Peter, a lawyer, the hoteliers said:

“The hoteliers recommend the proposed Bill should be on licensing, regulation and control of the sale of liquor as clearly stated in the constitution of  Nigeria 1999 (as amended), and not to prohibit sale and consumption of alcohol in Sabon Gari.

“They should be guided by legislative powers conferred by the constitution and not arrogate itself extra powers outside the provisions of the law. That in exercising  its constitutional powers of control in this regards, sale of alcohol can be exempted in open.”

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