Victoria Mgbanwa
In a bold move to protect public health, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its crackdown on counterfeit and substandard products, destroying confiscated goods worth N4.7 billion in Rivers State.
The destruction, which took place at a dumpsite in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area, highlights NAFDAC’s aggressive stance against the circulation of fake medicines, unwholesome food, and hazardous consumer products in the South-South region.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Christianah Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s South-South Zonal Director, Chukwuma Oligbu, emphasized that the agency’s actions go beyond routine enforcement, describing them as a “firm statement” of its commitment to safeguarding public health.
“The products being destroyed during this exercise are made up of substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics, counterfeits and other expired NAFDAC regulated products seized by the agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.
“Also, up for destruction today are damaged and expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, nongovernmental organisations, Association of Community Pharmacists and Trade Unions, to the Agency.”Adeyeye said.
Among the destroyed items were falsified medical products, expired processed foods, unsafe cosmetics, and counterfeits seized from manufacturers, importers, and distributors. Some of the items were voluntarily surrendered by responsible companies, NGOs, and trade unions.
A key highlight of NAFDAC’s recent operations was the discovery of illegal warehouses in Port Harcourt, where expired alcoholic beverages were being revalidated for resale. The agency, through intelligence-led raids, also confiscated unregistered cosmetics and unfortified vegetable oil in Delta State, while the Nigeria Customs Service in Edo handed over two 40-foot containers of substandard drugs for destruction.
Prince Obi Ohia, acting Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency, commended NAFDAC’s proactive efforts, noting that such actions would help curb preventable deaths and improve overall public health.
With this latest enforcement action, NAFDAC has sent a strong message to manufacturers and distributors of fake products, reinforcing its zero-tolerance approach to endangering public safety.
