Anambra Assembly Tells NAFDAC To Expedite Action On Inspection, Verification At Drug Market Onitsha

Anambra State House of Assembly has called on the Director General (DG) of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye and the South East Zonal Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, to expedite action on the ongoing inspection and verification at the Drug, Market (Ogbogwu), Onitsha.

Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the lawmakers at plenary on Tuesday, also called on the Market Leaders to as a matter of necessity, urgency and well-being of ndi Anambra and Nigeria at large, to set up structure, to monitor and report accordingly such nefarious actions by traders of the market, and to ensure that traders affected by such verification are present during such execise.

The member representing Aguata two Constituency, Hon. Tony Muobike who sponsored the motion, in his submission, frowned that the closure of the drug market (Ogbogwu) and some adjoining markets including, (Oduwana Street part of the Carpentry and Dolmar Tools — Power Tools and Allied Market, the Surgical line markets, the Chemical line market, the Plumbing materials markets, the Bridgehead fashion line market) by officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) since 9th February, 2025.

Hon. Muobike who is also the House Committee Chairman on Health, stated that the regulating, controlling the importation, manufacturing, advertising, distributing, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and such likes are some of the statutory responsibilities of NAFDAC.

According to Muobike, such inspection and verification initiative by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is to purge the market of counterfeit and expired drugs for the good and well being of ndi Anambra, which is commendable.

“Cognizant that trade and commerce are the mainstay of the economy of Anambra State and with over 21 days closure of the said markets, have put over ten thousand Ndi Anambra traders, apprentices, family members and other dependants who rely on the markets for their livelihood and sustenance in jeopardy.

“Many innocent traders and apprentices are now suffering for an offence they do not have a hand in; and, also urging the Leadership of the market to as a matter of necessity, urgency and the well being of Ndi Anambra, to immediately set up structures to monitor/ensure that such Nefarious Actions by traders are checked and reported accordingly.

“Many of the apprentices who are youths may be lured into antisocial behaviour including crime and criminality if the closure of the markets is further prolonged’. Moubuike said.

Speaking in support of the motion, Majority Leader, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme (Ekwusigo), Hon. Ejike Okechukwu (Anaocha two), Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Jude Akpua (Njikoka two), Hon. Nobel Igwe (Ogbaru one), Hon. Patrick Okafor (Onitsha North two), Hon. Fred Ezenwa (Onitsha South two), Hon. Augustine Ike (Nnewi North), Hon. Jude Umennajiego (Onitsha South one)…
in their separate submission, commended NAFDAC for its initiative to purge markets of counterfeit and expired drugs for the good and well being of ndi Anambra and Nigeria at large.

The lawmakers, however called for the speedy processing of the inspections and investigation so that the market will be reopened.

Anambra Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, who presided plenary, commended Muobike for sponsoring the motion.

Rt. Hon. Udeze maintained that as representatives of ndi Anambra, the 8th Assembly will continue to protect the interest of their constituents. He urged NAFDAC to expedite inspection process.

” How do this drugs cross Nigeria borders?. The Speaker asked. The actual control should be to stop the distribution chain of this drugs.

” Going to various markets to start searching for illicit drugs is not the best approach, we must consider the plights of the traders in the market because we have good and innocent once and for this exercise to continue this manner, it wont be fair to some of our constituents who are law abiding’. Udeze said.