From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, has declared that no amount of life threats or kidnapping of personnel would deter them from the fight against illicit drugs and unapproved consumables.
Professor Adeyeye made the declaration when she received containers laden with illicit drugs and expired products seized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The illicit drugs, ranging from codeine syrup, reny extra diclofenac, fantamac, and many others, were intercepted by the NCS through collaborative efforts with NAFDAC and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
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Receiving the intercepted containers, the Director-General said the handover of the illicit and unregistered pharmaceutical products was a strong demonstration of the partnership between NAFDAC and NCS to safeguard public health and uphold the highest standards of consumer protection.
Adeyeye said: “Today’s handover ceremony represents not just an act of administrative duty, but a strong demonstration of the partnership between the Nigerian Customs Service and NAFDAC to safeguard public health and uphold the highest standards of consumer protection.
“A few days ago, the Comptroller-General of Customs was at our head office in Abuja in his drive to explore better ways of collaboration in the fight against the importation of fake, substandard, and falsified NAFDAC-regulated products.
“Just last week, we were there at Apapa Port to receive, for destruction, 25 containers of unwholesome medical devices.”
“This handover underscores the determination of Customs in preventing potentially harmful products.
“This effort is not for NAFDAC, but in the interest of the citizens. No amount of threat to life or kidnapping of our personnel will dampen our spirit in the fight against substandard products.”
She vowed that no amount of threats to life or kidnapping would dampen their spirit in fighting against illicit drugs and substandard products.
“We are faced with these challenges; we are at the forefront of the fight to rid society of illicit drugs and other products.”
Earlier, the Comptroller-General, NCS, and Chair of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Bashir Adeniyi, who performed the handover at Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne, said the illicit goods were concealed in 11 containers of legitimate consumer goods.
“The command has successfully intercepted a total of 11 containers with an aggregate duty paid value of N20,549,999,200.00 as calculated in accordance with service valuation protocols.
“An analysis of these seizures reveals sophisticated concealment practices and systematic attempts to circumvent established import protocols.”
In his welcome address, the Comptroller of the Nigerian Customs Service, in charge of Onne Port, Mohammed Babandede, said the containers were intercepted in collaboration with other security agencies, including the NDLEA and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Babandede said the Command was able to achieve that feat due to the excellent collaborative effort established by the current Comptroller-General of Customs.
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