13 liquor factories shut down

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Joseph Mwanamvekha

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism has shut down 13 manufacturers of liquor which is packaged in plastic bottles and sachets.

Minister responsible Joseph Mwanamvekha said this in Parliament on Friday as he was responding to Member of Parliament for Kasungu Central Amon Nkhata’s question on the same.

Joseph Mwanamvekha
Mwanamvekha: we have closed factories

Nkhata noted that despite government’s ban on the production of liquor packaged in sachets, the liquor is still being sold in plastic bottles all over the country.

In his response, Mwanamvekha said government closed 13 factories which were producing the liquor packaged in plastics and the liquor which is on the market was smuggled into the country.

He also expressed worry that young people in the country are taking alcohol excessively without considering their future.

“We are very concerned over excessive alcohol consumption among young people in the country,” he said

Mwanamvekha said government banned liquor packaged in plastics to protect young people as they are future leaders of the country.

However, other Members of Parliament said the House is not using its power to protect young people from alcohol abuse through consumption of the cheap liquor.

The members said despite the efforts to completely ban the production of spirituous liquor, it seems that more work has to be done.