The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed expired and substandard products worth N2.6 million in Rivers State to protect public health.
The NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the disclosure during the exercise held atNAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye,on Friday.
Mrs Adeyeye, represented by Dr Martins Iluyomade, an investigative and destruction officer, Dr Martins Iluyomade, said the products included expired tomato paste, medicines, chemicals and other regulated items.
She said the products were either seized by the agency or voluntarily surrendered by their owners for destruction.
Mrs Adeyeye commended the Nigeria Customs Service for facilitating the handover of the seized products, describing inter-agency collaboration as crucial to preventing harmful goods from reaching consumers.
She said the partnership was strengthened by an existing Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies.
Mr Iluyomade, who is also Chairman of the Federal Taskforce on Fake and Unwholesome Regulated Products, said the displayed items represented only part of the consignment.
He said other containers were still being processed for release from the port, urging the customs service to expedite the process.
According to him, the process leading to the destruction exercise took almost two weeks and increased operational costs.
Mr Iluyomade called for stronger cooperation among security agencies, stressing that intelligence sharing and public support were essential to combating counterfeit medicines and unsafe food products.
He urged Nigerians to report suspected fake products through NAFDAC’s established channels rather than publicising them prematurely, which could alert suspects and frustrate investigations.
He said the agency had offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that it was intensifying nationwide operations against illegal factories and counterfeit products.
The NAFDAC Zonal Director, South-South, Chukwuma Oligbu, said the exercise was part of the agency’s responsibility to ensure that food, drugs, cosmetics, water and other regulated products met safety standards.
Mr Oligbu, represented by the Deputy Director in the zone, Rita Chukwuma, said destroying the products would prevent expired and substandard goods from entering markets.
He commended security agencies for supporting efforts to remove unsafe products from circulation.
Also, the Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne, Comptroller Aliyu Alkali, reaffirmed the service’s support for NAFDAC’s campaign.
Mr Alkali, represented by the Superintendent of Customs in the command’s enforcement unit, Abosede Elizabeth, said harmful products exposed Nigerians to serious health risks.
He urged relevant agencies to sustain collaboration to prevent dangerous goods from reaching communities.
Similarly, Ahmed Zaccah, representing the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), also commended NAFDAC for destroying counterfeit and substandard products seized at the ports.
Mr Zaccah said the exercise would help prevent Nigerian ports from becoming dumping grounds for harmful goods while restoring confidence in legitimate businesses.
He pledged the association’s continued collaboration with NAFDAC and urged importers and clearing agents to comply with regulations and uphold professional standards.
(NAN)