Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has assured traders at the Ọgbọ Ọgwụ market in Onitsha that the market, recently shut down by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over fake and substandard drugs, will reopen in no more than ten days.
Governor Soludo made this known during a visit to the market, which has been closed for two weeks. He explained that the state government had reached an agreement with NAFDAC to strengthen security and increase the labour force within the market. Additionally, shop owners in each section of the market will now be actively involved in the investigation process to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
The Governor also urged NAFDAC to go beyond market-level enforcement and investigate the broader fake drug supply chain to identify and eliminate the root sources of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
Recalling a similar incident in 2007 when the market was shut down for four months, Soludo emphasized the need for traders to take responsibility for self-regulation to prevent another closure. He reminded them that drug regulation falls under the exclusive list of the Nigerian government and that the market must maintain strict adherence to quality control.
During the visit, *NAFDAC’s South East Regional Comptroller, Mr. Martins Iluyomade*, briefed the Governor on key aspects of the ongoing investigation. However, the visit took a surprising turn when authorities discovered that some shops within the nearby plumbing market had been illegally converted into drug sales outlets.
Reacting to the discovery, *Chief Chikodi Ejiofor*, Chairman of the Onitsha Building Materials Traders Association, expressed shock at the extent of the issue, reinforcing the urgent need for a more coordinated approach to combating counterfeit drug sales.
Governor Soludo’s intervention and collaboration with NAFDAC signal a renewed effort to sanitize the pharmaceutical market in Anambra State while ensuring that genuine traders can resume their businesses within the stipulated timeframe.
