BY TUNDE OPALAN
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has said that importation of syringes into the country will ultimately kill local manufacturers of the product.
NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye gave the warning in Lagos while receiving the newly inaugurated executives of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), led by its National President, Mr. Emenike Nwokochi at the agency’s Lagos corporate office.
Adeyeye urged members of the association to put national interest above personal gains in their activities as clearing agents at the nation’s ports by paying less attention to clearing of imported syringes.
The Resident Media Consultant to the Agency, Sayo Akintola in a statement on Sunday, said Prof Adeyeye marveled at the stupendous investments committed to local production of syringes in Nigeria by a local pharmaceutical company during a recent facility tour.
He quoted the NAFDAC DG as saying the standard of the facilities she met on ground was comparable to whatever facility that could be found in the US or any country in Europe, adding that she was disturbed by the site of the huge unsold syringes in the company’s warehouse.
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According to the statement, over 1.5 billion units of the product were lying untouched in the warehouse due to low sales, exacerbated by the influx of imported syringes into the country, despite the high import duty slammed on the product to protect the local market.
Prof. Adeyeye was said to have noted with regrets intelligence reports indicating compromise at the port of entry in allowing illegal importation of unregistered containers of syringes into the country.
She revealed that a publication by USFDA stated that some syringes that come from Southeast Asia are of poor quality, adding that those products didn’t fly by night and land in different warehouses in Nigeria: rather, they entered the country through individuals.
The Director General expressed empathy towards manufacturers, stating, “I understand the challenges of not making sales, especially after investing a significant amount of money. That’s why I am particularly meticulous when it comes to overseeing our export processes.”
She emphasised the pivotal role of licensed customs agents in facilitating the legal and safe import and export of goods, and ensuring compliance with required standards.
“The aim is to enhance the positioning and promotion of trade in regulated products, both domestically and in the international market,” she said.
She lamented over the volume of food and agricultural commodities from Nigeria that are currently facing challenges at entry points in some countries in Europe, the United States and the United Kingdom, where they have been repeatedly rejected.
‘’Nigeria has lost billions of naira in trade that could have benefitted our people. About 70 per cent of our exports are rejected, food products especially. All these rejected products did not go through NAFDAC regulatory assessment. It disgraces us as a country.’’
She expressed concern over the large number of substandard products coming into the country. “That’s why I attach significant importance to this association because the goods that are either imported or exported, often play a crucial role in determining the strength of our economy.”
In the area of exports, she said the international market is competitive in nature and only welcomes products of high quality with relevant certifications and quality packaging that is environmentally friendly and beneficial to trade globally.
She noted with dismay problems arising from quality, standard, certification and appropriate packaging for made-in-Nigeria products destined for export, which have raised issues in the international market.
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