The Abia State Government has committed to working with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in eradicating counterfeit and expired products at Ejiukwu Street Market in Aba, popularly known as the Graveyard Market.
The Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Mr Kingsley Nwokocha, disclosed this at the Ejiukwu market, where he warned traders of the consequences of counterfeiting and changing the dates of expired products in the market.
The commissioner said counterfeit goods were a major threat to society and the health of the people.
The Mayor of Aba South LGA, Mr Obialol Anyanwu, also expressed concern over the activities of traders at the Ejiukwu market who manufacture counterfeit goods or fake counterfeit goods, re-stating the dates of expired products.
The Commissioner stated that counterfeit goods were a major threat to society and the health of the people.
Also speaking, the Mayor of Aba South LGA, Mr Obialol Anyanwu, on behalf of the Secretary to the Local Government, Mr. Gideon Aduka, expressed concern over the activities of traders at the Ejiukwu market who manufacture counterfeit goods or fake counterfeit goods, re-stating the dates of expired products.
He expressed appreciation to NAFDAC for its efforts in combating unwholesome activities in the market.
In his speech, the Interim Chairman of Eziukwu Market, Mr. Alphonsus Udeigbo, informed the Commissioner that his leadership had set up a five-member committee to combat counterfeit, expired, and re-dated products and their perpetrators.
Udeigbo likewise expressed appreciation to NAFDAC and the Abia State Government for their intervention in the market. NAFDAC South East Regional Director, Mr Martins Iluyomade, who led the raid, said many people usually travel abroad to treat incurable diseases, some of which are attributable to what they ingested.
During the operation, some shops in the market were sealed off by NAFDAC as they were being used to manufacture counterfeit goods and re-dating expired products.
Furthermore, the counterfeit and expired products were seized and destroyed by the Food and Drugs Regulatory Agency.
