FIC Report (Anambra State) – Anambra State House of Assembly has called on the Director General (DG) of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye and the South East Zonal Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, to expedite action on the ongoing inspection and verification at the Drug Market Onitsha.
The lawmakers sitting at plenary also called on the Market Leaders to as a matter of necessity, urgency and well-being of Anambrarians and Nigeria at large, set up structure, to monitor and report accordingly such nefarious actions by traders of the market, and to ensure that traders affected by such verification are present during such exercise.
The member representing Aguata two Constituency, Hon. Tony Muobike who sponsored the motion, in his submission, frowned at the closure of the drug market and some adjoining markets including, Oduwana Street part of the Carpentry and Dolmar Tools — Power Tools and Allied Market, the Surgical line markets, the Chemical line market, the Plumbing materials markets, the Bridgehead fashion line market by officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control since beginning of the month.
Hon. Muobike who is also the House Committee Chairman on Health, stated that the regulating, controlling the importation, manufacturing, advertising, distributing, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices are some of the statutory responsibilities of NAFDAC as well as to purge the market of counterfeit and expired drugs for the good and well being of Anambrarians, which is commendable.
“Cognizant that trade and commerce are the mainstay of the economy of Anambra State and with over 21 days closure of the said markets, have put over ten thousand Ndi Anambra traders, apprentices, family members and other dependants who rely on the markets for their livelihood and sustenance in jeopardy.
He explained that many innocent traders and apprentices are now suffering for an offence they do not have a hand in while urging the Leadership of the market to immediately set up structures to monitor and ensure that such nefarious Actions by traders are checked and reported accordingly before many of the apprentices who are youths be lured into antisocial behaviour including crime and criminality if the closure of the markets is further prolonged.
Speaking in support of the motion, Majority Leader, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme (Ekwusigo), Hon. Ejike Okechukwu (Anaocha two), Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Jude Akpua (Njikoka two), Hon. Nobel Igwe (Ogbaru one), Hon. Patrick Okafor (Onitsha North two), Hon. Fred Ezenwa (Onitsha South two), Hon. Augustine Ike (Nnewi North), Hon. Jude Umennajiego (Onitsha South one) in their separate submission, commended NAFDAC for its initiative to purge markets of counterfeit and expired drugs for the good and well being of the society.
The lawmakers, however, called for the speedy processing of the inspections and investigation so that the market will be reopened.
Anambra Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, who presided over the plenary, commended Hon. Muobike for sponsoring the motion and maintained that as representatives of Anambrarians, the 8th Assembly will continue to protect the interest of their constituents. He urged NAFDAC to expedite the inspection process.
Signed
Ibeneme Maria Nkilimma
Senior Info and Pub Relations Officer
