NAFDAC Clamps Down On Manufacturers, Distributors Of Counterfeit Items In Aba

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC has decried the high level of production and distribution of fake and counterfeit items at one of Abia State’s major markets, Eziukwu Road Market Aba.

This is even as the Market authorities have blamed loose regulatory oversights on the part of NAFDAC for the prevailing unfortunate situation.

The Source reports that the market, widely known as the biggest market for the sale and distribution of beverages, and other essential commodities, has over the years equally acquired a notorious image for being a haven for producers and distributors of adulterated items.

Martins Iluyomade, the Director South East region of the regulatory body,vwho is presently leading a team of NAFDAC Operatives on a raid of the market, lamented that despite past efforts at remedying the situation, the market has continued to serve as a centre” for the mass  production and sale of fake and substandard products.

He expressed concern that several past crackdowns have so far failed to check the nefarious activities of fake and counterfeit items producers at the market.

The Source reports that NAFDAC had, in December 2023, stormed the market in what was supposed to be a major clampdown on producers of adulterated products.

No fewer than 50  suspected high profile  fake products manufacturers and distributors were rounded up in the week long operation.

Similarly, hundreds of shops believed to be housing and selling fake items,were equally sealed .

Before unsealing the entire market which also was  closed down through out the raid, a Memorandum of Understanding MoU was signed between NAFDAC and the leadership of the Market .

One major aspect of the MoU was the agreement that the regulatory agency will be visiting the market periodically to ascertain the level of compliance with the non-productions and sale counterfeit items without any prior notice.

But Iluyomade who spoke on the progress of  the ongoing  raids, regretted that those involved in the illegal activities are not deterred.

According to him, the producers of adulterated products are more concerned about the money they are making than the innocent lives that are being lost through their heinous activities.

The NAFDAC South East Director, said in view of the unwillingness of the fake producers to honour the terms of the MoU reached with the market leadership, it will revisit the agreement.

So far, the Agency on this latest exercise is said to have uncovered several fake items in almost every part of the market.

However, in an interview with this Magazine on Tuesday December ,17, the Chairman of the Market ,Sir Alphonsus Udeigbo, exonerated the leadership of the market from the continued  existence of counterfeit products at the market.

“This problem of fake and counterfeit products at the market was one of the biggest issues that confronted the leadership of the market at inception.

“But as God will have it, NAFDAC came last year December and closed the market for some days.

“It made several arrests of those suspected to be  dealing on fake products. Some shops where fake items were discovered were sealed.

“Even though, the leadership was not aware of their coming, we were happy that at least, the problem which has brought bad name to the market was about to be tackled.

“So, we happily entered into an MoU, with NAFDAC, before it agreed to reopen the market.

“The most important aspect of the MoU, was the one that allowed NAFDAC to periodically visit the market without any notice to monitor compliance .

“Sadly, it was not up to two days before  all those arrested by NAFDAC triumphantly returned to the market. They celebrated, and made so much noise, including boasting that  nothing will happen as they are always working with officials of the agency.

“Their shops were reopened ,with none  prosecuted by NAFDAC . Aside from that ,they even threatened and still threatening to deal with the leadership of the market, which they accused of inviting NAFDAC .

“They came back almost immediately they were arrested by NAFDAC,  celebrating openly inside the market .

“Now, the greatest surprise of all was the fact that despite the agreement that NAFDAC will be visiting the market periodically to monitor development, I regret to inform you that NAFDAC never came ,until this one ( Monday December 16 ) .

That is  a whole one year after we entered into that MoU with them. These are facts the NAFDAC people can not dispute.

“The most unfortunate aspect ,is that most of the leaders of the market are being seen as enemies,by those engaged in the  business of manufacturing and distribution of fake products, with even our lives being threatened.

So NAFDAC ,can not blame the market leadership for the situation we have found ourselves over this problem of fake products that have cost several lives”, Chief Udeigbo stated .

But ,this time the regulatory agency has warned that it will stop at nothing to ensure that all those found to be involved in the unwholesome act are served justice .

As at the time of reporting, the operation against substandard products  at the market was still underway.