The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it remains committed to ensuring the safety and quality of regulated products circulating in Nigerian markets and beyond.
The Director, Northwest Zone of the agency, Mrs Josephine Dayilim, gave the assurance at a
stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop in Katsina on Thursday.
According to her, the agency’s mandate is to regulate and control the production, distribution and sale of food, food items, drugs and services.
She added that “the agency decided to embark on a nationwide workshop to sensitise the nation about its mandate, that is why we are here today in Katsina State.
“The state is predominantly an agrarian state with quite a number of agric-based entrepreneurs springing up with intention to register one product or the other with the agency.
“This workshop is indeed timely, as such it will definitely empower such entrepreneurs with better knowledge on how to register their products with NAFDAC with a view to adhering strictly to the standard quality and safety of the products.”
Dayilim said “stakeholders are indeed the backbone of the national economy that provides essential goods and services to the teeming population.”
She pointed out that NAFDAC’s mandate is to safeguard the health of the nation by ensuring that only safe and quality products are available in markets.
She emphasised that “this singular mandate cannot be achieved through NAFDAC efforts alone without your support and cooperation.
“We are indeed aware of the challenges faced by stakeholders in Katsina State as a result of the banditry activities in some areas, which adversely affect economic fortunes.
“We join you in prayers with a view to achieving lasting solution to all forms of insecurity that hinder economic growth and overall wellbeing of the state.”
According to her, the workshop is also to collaborate with stakeholders to navigate the regulatory landscape for optimum productivity and enhanced goods and services delivery.
She explained that certain processes and procedures had been put in place to reduce challenges faced by stakeholders, especially manufacturers.
“To our esteemed supermarket owners, your establishments are central to the daily lives of our community, as you stock your shelves with variety of products, I implore you to be vigilant.
“Verify the authenticity of the products you sell and ensure that they comply with NAFDAC regulations. Your role is not just about providing convenience, it is about being a trusted source of safe and quality products for our citizens,” she said.
The zonal director appealed to agrochemical dealers in the state to ensure strict compliance to all standards while handling agrochemicals.
She said “you may recall that farm produce from Nigeria suffer rejection in overseas markets, especially EU, due to non-compliance with standard use of pesticides on produce and pesticide residue above maximum acceptable limit.”
Advising water producers and master bakers, she said “you will agree with me that if anything goes wrong while preparing or handling any of your products, many lives will be affected, hence the need for you to ensure strict compliance to the overall Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.”
Some of the stakeholders expressed confidence that the workshop would assist them to improve production.
Those who attended the workshop included members of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP), Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), Agrochemical Dealers, Master Bakers, Supermarket Operators and Fast Food Restaurants.(NAN)
By Abbas Bamalli
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