T he Association of Raw Gin Producers of Nigeria (ARGPON) has initiated an internal regulatory process aimed at standardizing the production of local alcoholic beverages, particularly raw gin, commonly known as ogogoro.
Formerly recognized as the Nigeria Distillers Associates, ARGPON stated that its actions align with Decree No. 54 of 1970 and the Control of Distillation and Spirit Drink Regulation Gazette No. 55, Volume 93 of 2006, which regulate the sale and distribution of distilled spirits in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the association emphasized its commitment to reorienting local distillers and dealers towards adopting best global practices. The initiative seeks to eliminate substandard production methods that pose health risks while simultaneously promoting growth in the local distillery sector.
ARGPON highlighted that these measures are necessary to address public health concerns arising from the unregulated production and distribution of local gin. Additionally, the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to establish a national policy on alcohol sales and distribution.
“ARGPON’s objective is to educate and support local raw gin distillers in preparation for the forthcoming Federal Government policy on alcohol sales and distribution. The association was actively involved in discussions concerning this policy at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” the statement read.
Signed by ARGPON’s National Chairman, Adebisi Adekanye, and Board Secretary, Anthony Okoro, the statement noted that proper internal regulation has been long overdue, as the government’s intent to legalize local gin has been undermined by the persistence of unregulated practices.
“It is expected that local producers will adopt modern technologies to enhance their production capacity and improve quality,” the statement added.
In collaboration with the Federal Industrial Institute of Research, ARGPON is developing advanced distilling equipment designed to increase production efficiency by over 1,000 percent. The initiative also aims to eliminate harmful contaminants, such as metallic sediments, which result from the outdated use of rusty drums in the distillation process.
The association emphasized that these improvements would create job opportunities for local communities and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
To ensure comprehensive industry compliance, ARGPON is launching a mass registration initiative targeting rural gin producers and dealers across various regions of the country. Identified centers will be established to facilitate easy registration and compliance monitoring.
“All registered producers and dealers will receive permits following a thorough evaluation of their production methods to ensure alignment with approved safety and quality standards,” the statement concluded.
ARGPON has urged all local gin operators to visit its official website or national secretariat in Lagos for further details. The full-scale implementation of this regulatory exercise is set to begin in the first week of February.
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