The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has carried out an extensive mop-up operation across several key markets in Maiduguri, Borno State, in response to recent flooding that has jeopardized the safety of food and drug supplies.
According to The PUNCH, in a press statement released on Tuesday by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the operation targeted the Gamboru drug and food market, Monday market, Open Air-Theatre drug market, and Gwange drug market.
This proactive measure was initiated to remove food items and pharmaceuticals that had been contaminated by floodwaters, as part of NAFDAC’s strategic market control efforts aimed at preventing the circulation of unsafe products and curbing potential health crises.
The recent flooding in Maiduguri resulted in the Gomboru drug market being submerged, leading to the unfortunate incident where contaminated drugs were reportedly washed and sun-dried for resale.
Consequently, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, ordered the immediate closure of the market to facilitate a comprehensive, shop-to-shop removal of the compromised products.
NAFDAC’s Director for the North-East, Kenneth Azikiwe, emphasized the critical health risks posed by the floods, stating, “The recent floods have posed a significant risk to public health by contaminating food and drug supplies. Our swift action in these markets is crucial to ensure that only safe and uncontaminated products are available to the public.”
The mop-up operation, which involved officials from Borno, Yobe, and Gombe states as well as the NAFDAC area laboratory, resulted in the removal of compromised items estimated to be worth over N5 billion.
“During the operation, directed by the Director General, NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, officials drawn from Borno, Yobe, Gombe, and the NAFDAC area laboratory meticulously inspected and removed all compromised items (food and drugs) valued at over N5bn. The agency also provided guidelines to market vendors and the public on how to identify and handle potentially contaminated products in the future,” the statement read.
In addition, NAFDAC has temporarily closed down all manufacturing facilities engaged in the production of regulated goods within the affected flood zones.
This closure will allow the agency to conduct a thorough reassessment of Good Manufacturing Practices before any resumption of production activities.
NAFDAC also announced that surveillance and monitoring efforts will continue to cover other parts of the Maiduguri metropolis not addressed in this initial operation.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to public health, the statement added, “NAFDAC remains committed to safeguarding the health of Nigerians by ensuring that all food and drug products meet the highest standards of safety and quality.”
Through continuous inspections, rigorous testing, and public awareness campaigns, NAFDAC aims to protect the health and well-being of all Nigerians.
The agency also encouraged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspected compromised products to the nearest NAFDAC office.
