Emmanuel OchayiThe blitz by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Abia State, uncovering counterfeit wine factories, has ignited a firestorm of reactions across Nigerian social media platforms.
Users expressed dismay, calling attention to the concerning oversight in regulatory bodies and demanding urgent action.
Social media feeds lit up with criticisms aimed at NAFDAC and Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), questioning the regulatory bodies’ efficacy and demanding accountability for the unchecked proliferation of counterfeit goods.
In a candid outpouring, users expressed fears over the prevalence of substandard products, conducting personal inspections of household items and raising awareness about the absence of NAFDAC registration numbers.
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Dr. Babatunde, echoing widespread sentiments, urged NAFDAC and SON to take charge, stating, “We are facing unnecessary fatalities due to these fake products!”
Nana Aba called for greater transparency from NAFDAC, urging, “If they need public assistance, let them ask. This cannot persist!”
Criticism targeted the apparent negligence within NAFDAC, with @GeekyAdams demanding accountability, suggesting, “Someone in NAFDAC isn’t doing their job and needs to be held accountable.”
The severity of the issue was underscored by Lami Apejoye, who labeled it a national emergency, lamenting the perceived lack of immediate action.
Demola of Lagos expressed exasperation, pointing out the existence of multiple oversight agencies and yet, the rampant spread of fake products, calling it a “cluster****”.
Amidst the uproar, users like Ore highlighted the irony of products bearing NAFDAC numbers, questioning their authenticity.
With a wave of dissatisfaction, @Oluwafunmi concluded, “NAFDAC is failing in their duties. There’s a total lack of control and accountability.”
In the wake of these reactions, suggestions poured in, with Theo Abu proposing the digitalization of NAFDAC numbers for easier verification of product authenticity.
@fisayoade_ emphasized the wide-reaching impact, lamenting the lack of oversight in various consumer product categories and questioning NAFDAC’s role.
NAFDAC’s crackdown targeted illicit markets suspected of trading in adulterated beverages, resulting in the closure of several operations and the apprehension of 10 suspects.
The affected markets remain sealed pending a thorough investigation, as revealed by Martins Iluyomade, the director of NAFDAC’s South-East Zone.
Iluyomade highlighted the hazards posed by unsafe ingredients and unsanitary manufacturing practices, particularly alarming as Nigeria enters the festive season.
This crackdown comes amid persistent challenges in curbing the influx of counterfeit beverages into the Nigerian market, despite law enforcement actions against syndicates involved in this illicit trade.
The public’s outrage underscores growing concerns about product safety and the urgent need for NAFDAC and other regulatory bodies to enforce stringent measures to safeguard consumers from substandard and potentially dangerous goods.
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