The Abia State Government-appointed Interim Management Committee of the Eziukwu Road Market Aba ,has taken tough measures to stem the tide of mass manufacturing and distribution of fake and counterfeit products at the market.
Over the years, the ever busy and strategic outlet for the sales and distribution of essential commodities South East of the Niger has, unfortunately, acquired a notoriety for the mass production and distribution of adulterated and poisonous items ranging from beverages, drinks, food items and other essential commodities.
The National Agency for Food ,Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC had, on Monday December 16, 2024, raided the market ,with no fewer than 150 shops and business premises discovered to be producing and selling large consignments of counterfeit items .
The raid which stretched to Tuesday ,December 17, also led to the seizure of adulterated products which the regulatory body valued at over N 5 billion .
Martins Iluyomade ,the Director, NAFDAC South East, who led the operation, described the market as the hub for the mass production of poisonous and fake products.
He lamented that despite past concerted efforts at halting the development, the market has continued to serve as a haven for manufacturers and distributors of fake and substandard products in the country.
The NAFDAC Director expressed concern that several past crackdowns have so far failed to check the nefarious activities of fake product producers and distributors at the market.
However, the Market authorities, blamed the lackadaisical attitude of NAFDAC for the unfortunate situation.
According to the market leadership, the regulatory agency has not been able to apply the needed political will in handling the matter.
Particularly, the market authorities ,blamed the failure of NAFDAC to wield the big stick ,against arrested suspects as the biggest challenge militating against the efforts at halting the trend .
But rising from an emergency meeting on Saturday December 21, 2024 , the market authorities ,announced the constitution of a taskforce to take the battle to the den of the merchants of fake and counterfeit products.
In a Communique jointly signed by the Chairman ,Sir Alphonsus Udeigbo, Secretary Hon Darlington Achonu ,Sir Jonathan Ogujiofor Chairman Stakeholders Forum and Nnamdi Adimonyemma ,the Chief Security Officer, the Market leadership informed that the Taskforce has been mandated to carry out regular monitoring of items being sold at the market.
The measure, it said, is aimed at promptly unraveling those engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of fake products for immediate action .
The Chief Security Officer, and zonal market leaders are to populate the taskforce.
Similarly, defaulters will henceforth cough out N500,000 fine, before being handed over to NAFDAC, through its Abia State Coordinator.
Part of the new stern measures also include the seizure of defaulters’ shops or business premises and their subsequent forfeiture to the Government.
According to the Communique, traders and all business owners at the Eziukwu Road ( formally Cementry Market) are to acquire mandatory identification Cards.
The issuance of the ID cards will commence from Tuesday December 24, 2024 ,and end on January 31, 2025
The market authorities noted that the ID policy ,will assist in identifying those who are engaged in lawful business transactions .
All those who fail to comply with the ID acquisition ,will have their shops and business premises sealed ,as well as face prosecution .
To ensure a seamless process, Zonal leaders of the market have been mandated to distribute the ID to applicants.
The market leadership emphasized the imperativeness of the new measures in restoring sanity in the activities of the market .
It noted that ,there is the urgent need to protect innocent consumers and. law abiding traders and business actors from the dastardly acts of a few greedy and heartless persons .
While strongly condemning the attitude of some unscrupulous characters, the market leadership expressed the confidence that the measures will significantly curb the ugly situation.
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