By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Despite the loud outcry and indignation that trailed the discovery of large scale production and sales of counterfeit and adulterated products at Eziukwu Road Market by men and officers of the National Agency For Food ,Drugs ,Administration And Control NAFDAC, early December 2023 ,the unwholesome activities have persisted even with greater audacity, The Source Magazine findings have authoritatively revealed.
For one, the regulatory body, NAFDAC, had raided the market known in many circles as a sanctuary for producers and marketers of fake and unwholesome beverages ,drinks baby products,and other related items ,resulting in the sealing of no fewer than 200 shops and business premises, and thr arrest of about 30 persons believed to be the ring leaders of the cartel behind the illegal production and distribution chain.
The NAFDAC raid led by the South East Zonal coordinator, Martins Iluomode, which lasted for a week also led to the closure of the entire Market considered as the leading hub for the sales of beverages, drinks ,and essential food items of different hues, SouthEast of the Niger.
However, the market was reopened on December 20, 2023, following a Memorandum Of Understanding MOU entered into between the leadership of the market and NAFDAC .
Among other things, the MOU prohibited the production and sales of all counterfeit and adulterated products within the Eziukwu Road Market and its precincts.
It was, also, agreed that only products with NAFDAC registration numbers shall be allowed to be sold at the market, according to the MOU.
The MOU also empowers NAFDAC, as the regulatory body for Food and other essential items, to visit the market, at least, once every month to monitor level of compliance.
Ilomuode, NAFDAC Southeast Zonal coordinator signed for the regulatory agency, while Hon Alphonsus Udeigbo led other market executives to sign the MOU.
However, three months down the line ,The Source Magazine findings have shown that it is business as usual for producers of fake and unwholesome products at the market.
Impeccable sources revealed that the resurgence of the illegal production of counterfeit products not long after the NAFDAC raid ,should be domiciled squarely at the door steps of the regulatory agency.
“NAFDAC came here within the second week of December 2023 and in the end, made some arrests, particularly those that were caught in the act.
“About 25 to 30 of them considered to be the ring leaders of the illegal production and sales were arrested with their business premises and shops sealed .
“The expectations of all well meaning people and stakeholders were that those apprehended should be prosecuted and punished to serve as a deterrent to others.
“But to the surprise of everybody, those arrested by NAFDAC did not only return to the market almost immediately, but made a triumphant entry so to say.
“This is because they came back and engaged in wide jubilation, boasting about how they are firmly in control of NAFDAC officials.
“Some of them were openly bragging about how they compromised and are ready to compromise even more NAFDAC officials so as to remain in business.
“In their characteristics loud nature ,they were even saying that they had an existing ” Understanding” with some NAFDAC officials ,long before the Market’s MOU with the regulatory agency.
“According to them, NAFDAC has been in the picture about the nature of their businesses,because they ” settle” them appropriately.
“Since NAFDAC raided the market, arrested some people and signed the MOU with our leaders at market ,no body has seen them again and or heard anything from them. Even the official report of their visit and how they ended up with those they arrested ,nothing have been heard from NAFDAC. So for most of us at the market ,Nigerians should hold NAFDAC responsible for the mass production of poisonous products going on at this market.
“The Regulatory Agency should equally be held to account for the deaths of many Nigerians ,particularly infants who consume some of the fake items that are produced and sold at the market.” an authoritative market source stated.
All attempts made by The Source (Magazine) to speak with Mr Ilomuode ,the South East zonal coordinator of NAFDAC were rebuffed.
Several calls made, SMS and WhatsApp messages sent to him were never responded to as at the time of reporting.
