Nigeria NAFDAC renews fight against importers of banned, fake agrochemicals

Date:09-28-2010

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday, said it had commenced the review of the law guiding its operation to ensure that importers of banned and fake Agro-chemicals into the country are sentenced to life imprisonment without an option of fine.

The Director-General of the agency, Dr. Paul Orhii, said this in Akure at the opening of a workshop on Safe and Responsible Use of Agrochemicals, organised by the agency in collaboration with Croplife Nigeria and Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN).

According to him, anybody involving in such act should be regarded as “murderers” and should be given treatment that is commensurate with such action.

He said the availability of unapproved and unregistered and fake agro-chemicals production in our markets posed additional health risks.

The NAFDAC boss who spoke through the Director of Narcotic and Control Substance, Alhaji Hasim Ubale-Yusuf , said "We are presently reviewing our laws and if you are caught in any of these offences, you are sent to jail for life without any option of fine because you are a murderer.”

He stated that the agency had received reports of the death of members of families after consumption of meals prepared from foodstuffs which have been contaminated with chemicals used in preserving such foodstuffs.