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ANAMBRA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Anambra House of Assembly has adopted a resolution urging the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to reopen the Onitsha Drug Market, which was shut down on February 9.
During the plenary session on Tuesday, the lawmakers expressed that the closure has jeopardized the livelihoods of at least 10,000 traders, apprentices, and their dependents.
This resolution was initiated by Tony Moubike (Aguata Constituency 2) through a motion deemed of 'Urgent Public Importance.'
Moubike called for NAFDAC to expedite its current inspection process to ensure the market can reopen shortly for the benefit of the people.
Additionally, the assembly urged the market leadership to put in place stringent monitoring systems to detect and report illicit activities taking place within the market.
Moubike noted that many innocent traders and apprentices are suffering due to offenses they did not commit.
He mentioned that many young apprentices could be tempted into social vices, such as crime, if the market remains closed for an extended period.
The speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze, stated that they have received numerous appeals and concerns from the public regarding the extended closure.
Udeze indicated that the process implemented by the agency for drug inspections is causing undue hardship to the community and advocated for the swift reopening of the market.
The South-East region is well-known for counterfeit products, especially in health-related items.
