The House of Representatives South-East caucus has appealed to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to reopen the Onitsha Bridgehead Market in Anambra State, citing the market’s importance to the public.
According to the caucus, reopening the market would enable those whose livelihoods depend on it to conduct legitimate business and earn a living. The leader of the caucus, Iduma Igariwey (PDP, Ebonyi), made the appeal in Abuja during a press conference at the National Assembly Complex on Tuesday.
While condemning criminals involved in the production and distribution of fake and adulterated medications, Igariwey described them as “death merchants and economic saboteurs.” He commended NAFDAC for its efforts in tackling these criminals but urged the agency not to punish innocent and legitimate traders, as well as medicine users, due to the actions of a few.
NAFDAC had sealed over 4,000 shops in Onitsha, 3,027 in Lagos, and another 4,000 in Aba as part of its nationwide clampdown on fake and substandard medicines. Igariwey explained that shutting down the entire market has caused significant collateral damage, particularly affecting medicine users in the South-East and South-South regions.
He said, “While we acknowledge NAFDAC’s statutory role in combating fake drugs, we urge them to swiftly arrest and prosecute those responsible for their production and distribution. The wholesale and indefinite closure of a market that supplies over 90 per cent of the medication needs of the South-East and South-South may not be the best approach. Many traders in the market are genuine businesspeople.”
Igariwey also called on the Nigeria Customs Service to step up efforts in securing land, sea, and air borders to prevent the influx of fake and adulterated drugs into the country. Another lawmaker, George Ozodinobi, urged NAFDAC to consider the plight of those who rely on daily medication for their health conditions.