By Chizoba Okeke
The Anambra State House of Assembly has unanimously adopted a motion calling for decisive government action against the importation, manufacture, distribution and sale of fake, counterfeit, adulterated and substandard products across the state.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Honourable Ikenna Ofodeme and seconded by Hon. Patrick Udoba (Anambra West), urging Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to direct the State Ministries of Health and Commerce to collaborate with relevant federal and state regulatory agencies to intensify the fight against dangerous and unwholesome products.
The motion seeks to protect residents from the harmful effects of fake drugs, adulterated food and beverages, expired medical products, cosmetics, packaged water, household chemicals, electrical appliances, building materials and other essential commodities circulating in markets and commercial centres across Anambra State.
Presiding over the plenary, the Speaker of the House, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze, commended the sponsor of the motion for drawing legislative attention to the issue, while affirming the urgent need to checkmate irregularities in markets across the state.
Leading the motion, Honourable Ofodeme drew attention to the grave dangers posed by the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard products, stressing that the menace constitutes a serious threat to public health, consumer safety and the economic well-being of citizens.
The lawmaker expressed concern that the continued circulation of such products not only exposes unsuspecting consumers to avoidable health risks and financial losses but also undermines legitimate businesses and weakens public confidence in the marketplace.
Contributing to the motion, Honourable Emma Nwafor, representing Orumba South Constituency; Honourable Emmanuel Okpaleke, representing Aguata One Constituency; Honourable Anthony Muobike, representing Aguata Two Constituency; Honourable Mimi Azikiwe, representing Onitsha North One Constituency; and Honourable Chuks Azotani, representing Dunukofia Constituency, among others, spoke in support of the motion.
The lawmakers underscored the importance of addressing irregularities in the production, importation and marketing of consumer goods, particularly products capable of endangering public health and safety.
The motion identified the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) as critical stakeholders in the campaign against counterfeit products and illegal commercial practices.
The lawmakers further advocated stronger surveillance, regular market inspections, product testing, strict enforcement of quality standards and sustained public enlightenment to protect unsuspecting consumers from harmful products.
The House therefore urged the state government to direct the Ministries of Health and Commerce to work in synergy with NAFDAC, SON, FCCPC, IMAN and other relevant stakeholders to checkmate the importation, manufacture, circulation, distribution and sale of counterfeit, adulterated and substandard products across the state.
Chizoba is from the ministry of information and value reformation
