By Sarauniya G Usman, Abuja
The National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR), a coalition of non-governmental organisations that includes the Diabetes Association of Nigeria and eleven others has called on government to meet up with June 1st implementation of tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
The call was made in a statement jointly signed by NASR Coalition Members: Diabetes Association of Nigeria,, Nutrition Society of Nigeria
Nigeria Cancer Society,Breast Without Spot and Lafiya Wealth Initiative.
Others are TalkHealth9ja, Nigeria Health Watch, Project PINK BLUE, Sustainable Development Initiative, African Youth Initiative on Population, Health and Development (AfrYPoD)Bundies Care Initiative and Nigerian Heart Foundation and issued by Miss Omei Bongos-Ikwue Coalition Representative.
According to the coalition the statement became necessary after government failed to meet its June 1st takeoff of the Sugar Tax Regulation.
The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning was supposed to announce the framework for enforcement and the timeline for the implementation of the sugar tax that was introduced late last year.
According to the General Secretary of the Nigerian Diabetes Association and co-chair of the coalition, Comrade Bernard Enyia, The backlash from the soda industry is slowing down the implementation of the tax. People think that the sugar tax is trying to impoverish them and add to inflation.”
As a person living with disabilities himself, the General Secretary explained that the tax was meant to ease the suffering of people living with diabetes.
He further explained that enlightening people on the importance of the tax and how it will be used as a health policy tool toward the treatment of non-communicable diseases will help in changing their minds about supporting the tax.