The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) destroyed counterfeit and unwholesome products worth over N2.5 billion in Enugu on Thursday.
The products, including rice and assorted drinks, were seized from dealers across the Southeast zone, the NAFDAC’s Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye stated.
Adeyeye represented by Mr. Iluyomade Martins at the destruction exercise, held at Enugu State Waste Management Authority Dump Site, warned dealers to stop selling counterfeit products, noting that the money spent on these products could have been used for genuine businesses.
The total value of the destroyed products was N2,664,548,683.33, which could have compromised the health of over three million people, increased health burdens, and poverty rates.
Adeyeye emphasised that NAFDAC will continue to ensure that every household can purchase regulated products without fear of substandard, adulterated, or fake products, and vowed to prevent further harm from these products.
“This event today is to signal to the people of the south east that it is no longer business as usual to merchants of death who are hell bent on destroying other people for their own selfish economic gain.”
She, however, commended other sister agencies for their synergy and inter agency cooperation, which she described that without they would not have succeeded in this endeavour.
“NAFDAC will not rest on its oars until every household in Nigeria can buy any regulated product without fear of substandard and adulteration or fake,” she added. “We enjoin the public to join us in this fight by reporting unscrupulous manufacturers and business men who engage in illicit practises to report to the nearest NAFDAC office for prompt investigation.
“The visions of the agency is to be a World Class Regulator that ensures availability of quality and safe Food, Drugs, and other Regulated Products. The mission of the agency is to protect and promote the public health by instituting an effective and efficient regulatory system that ensures only the right quality Food, Drugs and other regulated products are manufactured, exported, Imported, advertised, distributed, sold, and used.
“The current administration is fully committed to the fulfilment of the vision and mission of the agency in other to safeguard the health of all Nigerians. This is being achieved through Implementation of various policies and strategies to make the impact of NAFDAC felt in every family in Nigeria and diaspora where NAFDAC regulated products are consumed.
“The south east directorate of NAFDAC comprises Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Enugu and Abla states. These states are very strategic to achieving the mandate of NAFDAC.
“Several raids and routine activity has led to the confiscation of several fake, substandard, falsified, adulterated and spurious foods, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, chemicals and other regulated consignments that are very injurious to the health of Nigerians and especially to the people of south east,” She stated.
Pictures: NAFDAC Performing Destruction of over N2.5b worth fake and unwholesome products seized across South East region.
