Onitsha Drug Market Saga: LP Reps Blast NAFDAC
The Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives has condemned the alleged extortion of traders at the Onitsha drug market by officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the caucus described the situation as “scandalous, outrageous, and reprehensible.”
According to the lawmakers, NAFDAC’s alleged demand of N700,000 from shop owners to unseal their shops is “scandalous, outrageous, and reprehensible.”
The Caucus recalled that the House of Representatives had, in February, cautioned the agency to avoid punishing innocent businesses during its operations.
Lawmakers had questioned why all traders, regardless of guilt, were being asked to pay a flat sum.
Leader of the Labour Caucus, Afam Ogene, criticised the agency for an unfair and unclear process.
“What is this money for? If it’s for access to the shops of affected traders, does it imply that the fee absolves those guilty of drug counterfeiting? How is this fair to innocent businesses in the market?”
“Doesn’t this contradict the principles of fairness and justice that democracy and the rule of law uphold?”
He added that the prolonged closure of the market and NAFDAC’s failure to isolate actual offenders suggests poor planning and raises questions about the agency’s effectiveness.
“This controversy is avoidable and distracts from the fight against fake drugs. NAFDAC’s actions are unethical, unacceptable, and reprehensible.
“The agency must act swiftly to address this issue, which threatens its image and credibility,” Ogene said.
On February 19, Ogene moved a motion on the floor of the House urging NAFDAC to exercise caution in its enforcement drive.
The motion noted trader complaints of indiscriminate business closures and raids that lacked transparency.
Ogene added that during the operation, traders were locked out while NAFDAC officials allegedly broke into shops and carted away pharmaceuticals without witnesses present to take inventory.
“Such a brazen approach… without allowing the leadership of the markets and the owners of the goods to witness the process, would make accountability difficult and also dents the integrity of the operation,” he said.
Onitsha Drug Market Saga: LP Reps Blast NAFDAC is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
