ABUJA — The National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees has asked the House of Representatives not to pass an amendment to the customs and excise tariff law that would replace the N10 per litre tax on soft drinks with a levy based on a percentage of the retail price. In an open letter to Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, union president Garba Dankama said manufacturers are already struggling with low capacity use and high energy and borrowing costs, and warned of plant closures and job losses.