The House of Representatives South-East caucus has called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to reopen the Onitsha Bridgehead Market, emphasizing its importance for traders and medicine users in the region.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, caucus leader Iduma Igariwey (PDP, Ebonyi) acknowledged NAFDAC’s crackdown on fake and substandard drugs but urged the agency to avoid punishing legitimate businesses.
“The wholesale and indefinite closure of a market that supplies over 90% of medication needs in the South-East and South-South may not be the best approach. Many traders are genuine businesspeople,” Igariwey stated.
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NAFDAC recently shut down over 4,000 shops in Onitsha, along with 3,027 in Lagos and another 4,000 in Aba, in an effort to combat counterfeit drugs.
While commending the agency’s efforts, Igariwey urged them to prosecute offenders rather than disrupt the livelihoods of innocent traders.
Similarly, Rep. George Ozodinobi (Njikoka/Dunukofia/Anaocha, Anambra) stressed the impact on medicine users, saying, “Reopening the market will allow legitimate traders to earn a living while ensuring access to genuine medication.”
The caucus also called on the Nigeria Customs Service to tighten border security to prevent the influx of fake drugs into the country.
