Women Arise For Change Initiative Calls for reopening of Drugs Market, adjoining Markets By NAFDAC
By Juliana Nwachukwu/Nkiru Anakor/Ngozi Okoli
Women Arise For Change Initiative has appealed to National Agency For Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to out of patriotism, socioeconomic, justice and love for humanity reopen the shutdown Onitsha Drugs Market and other affected markets over allegedly discovery of fake, unwholesome, substandard ,adulterated and expired drugs.
This was contained in a press statement issued to newsmen and endorsed by Evangelist Vincent Ezekwueme and Pastor Chinyere Amah, Chairman and Secretary respectfully tagged "Whatever that affects one directly affects all indirectly" condemns with great disdain unconscionable, despicable and inhuman buying and selling of fake and adulterated drugs and support efforts towards it's eradication in accordance with the law.
"We commend relentless efforts of NAFDAC in ridding the country of fake, substandard and adulterated drugs that have precipitated a lot of untimely death and health hazards to citizens.
"The worst injustice is for the just to suffer for the crimes and impunity of the unjust.
"We advice those dealing with such illicit drugs to repent and voluntarily surrender the drugs to NAFDAC for destructions. NAFDAC should also ensure that only shops or business premises of those selling substandard drugs are searched and punished.
"It is pertinent to note that outright closure of the markets affects adversely those doing legitimate businesses, their customers, families and dependents. It will be a step in the right direction for NAFDAC to do the needful and reopen the markets and commence discreet and indepth investigation of those selling substandard drugs in the markets and that only those found wanting will be made to face the full wrath of law.
"We equally appeal to NAFDAC to think about plights, predicaments and sufferings of affected traders and their dependents as most of them are breadwinners and their children are now out of school due to inability of their parents to pay school fees as a result of closure of the markets.
"It is correct to state that feeding becomes difficult task for most of the affected families as a result of paucity of funds following closure of their only source of livelihood. We passionately appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as father of the nation and democrat to show empathy for plights, predicaments and sufferings of affected traders by ordering for immediate reopening of closed markets and adequate compensation to innocent traders affected by the closure as well drugs approved by NAFDAC that were confiscated.
"It is of prime importance to note that reopening of the markets will save many lives as prizes of drugs has skyrocketed and many drugs are now very scarce due to drugs market closure. It is very unfortunate that the closure was extended to other Markets unconnected with selling of drugs,like Plumbing Material Market, Provision Market Front Line,Tools and Allied Market,Dolmer Market,Part of Timber Market etc.
"Their reopening will certainly bring succour and relief to the affected traders and their families because justice could only be served when only the culprits suffer and innocent ones goes scout free," the group said.
* Nwachukwu, Anakor and Okoli are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
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