By Mercy Akuba
The hon. Commissioner for Health, Cyril Adams Oshoimhole has declared zero tolerance for counterfeit drugs, food drinks and unwholesome processed food in the State.
The Commissioner who was inaugurated as Chairman of the taskforce committee alongside with other representatives from Livestock and food Products Dealers of Nigeria ,NAFDAC, Nigeria Police Force, Ministry of Health , ministry of Agriculture, Market Women and others said the committee will not spare anyone selling adulterated drinks food and drugs in the State.
He described adulterated food, drinks and drugs as an assault on human existence which kills silently and weakens the health Care system.
He warned that the inauguration is not a ceremonial event but a call to action to eliminate all forms of health threatening substances.
He pledged to work as a team with his members in a transparent and high level of professionalism. He further expressed his willingness to collaborate with relevant agencies, manufacturers, regulatory bodies and the judiciary to dismantle networks that profits from human suffering.
He added that the committee’s mandate is inline with the State Governor’s Shine Agenda to protect livea of Edo people through ensuring that they eat healthy food and drinks.
Speaking earlier the Federal Taskforce Chairman, Dr. Martins Iluyamode explained through a zoom call that the federal taskforce committee on fight against counterfeit drugs and unwholesome processed food was appointed by the Minister of Health to help curb the spread of illicit drugs, adulterated food and drinks as well as unhealthy processed food
He read the Act Cap C34LFN, 2004 to the committee stressing that they must display high level of integrity and should not be found compromising standards in the course of carrying out their duties.
He congratulated the committee members and charged them to always allow the Acts to guide their actions.
On his part, the NAFDAC coordinator , South South region Mr. Oligbu Chukwuma Philip, who represented the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Christina Adeyeye said that the function of the committee is a key regulatory system designed to ensure the safety and security of public health.
He explained further that the initiative operates as a unified structure aimed at strengthening enforcement, coordinating intelligence gathering, sustaining public education and promoting community engagement.
“Operationally, the Taskforce will carry out coordinated market inspection, rapid testing of goods where needed and transparent reporting to Chairman, federal taskforce. There will be a hotline that citizens can reach , reporting suspicious products”
On her part, the Edo State NAFDAC coordinator, Mrs Esther Itua also stressed that NAFDAC in collaboration with the inaugurated taskforce, will collectively reduce the spread of adulterated drugs, food and drinks in the state.
She commended the state government for toing the path of federal government and expressed optimism that the statutory members in collaboration with co-opted committee members will work to protect the wellbeing of Edo people.
Also speaking, the President of Livestock and Food Products Dealers of Nigeria , Hon. Steven Esheba expressed readiness of his members to collectively work with the Chairman of the committee to eradicate adulterated food , drinks and drugs from the street of Benin City.
He Congratulated the Chairman of the committee on behalf of the members and reaffirm his conviction in the capacity of Cyril Adams Oshoimhole to pilot the comminitee to success.
He noted that their association has been fighting for the inauguration of the taskforce committee since 2017 to help cleanse the state of unwholesome processed food drinks and drugs and he is very excited that it has come to realization. .