BY OLUFISOYE ADENITAN
Nigerians have reacted to the federal government intention to place duty on carbonated and non alcoholic drinks in the country
Some Residents of Akure who told Positive fm that the intention was another way of bringing hardship on the citizens.
In their separate reactions, Agbaleya Blessing ,Mrs Folasade Akinuli expressed displeasure that the federal government was insensitive to the plight of Nigerians
They said increasing duty on non alcoholic and carbonated drinks was a deliberate move to make life miserable for the masses because already, goods and services including food beverages had increased in prices by over 80 percent due to inflation.
In her submission, a head teachers of a school in Akure ondo state ,Mrs Esther oluda who condemned the government’s proposed plan however suggested the alternatives of water and fruits for lovers of carbonated drinks .
Also a dealer of Non Alcoholic drinks ,Mr Emmanuel Olaiya said the move was a deliberate means of making life more difficult considering the fact that they recorded patronage mostly from party celebrants and parents especially during resumption.
He noted that with the proposed increment on such drinks may lead to low patronage with time .
In his words of advice on the proposed duty on carbonated drinks, a physician at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife,osun state ,Dr Mercy Adeyemi said parents should use the opportunity to encourage their children to take more of water and fruits instead of sweet drinks with preservatives, capable of wreaking havoc on their health.
Dr Adeyemi said researches have shown that carbonated drinks give rooms for ailments such as diabetes in children hence the need to take precautionary measures .