Gaidam Donates Parcel of Land to NAFDAC

• Flags off sensitisation campaign on safe handling of drugs, pesticides and chemicals

Martins Ifijeh

In a show of support to ease the operational activities of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Yobe State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam has directed the Ministry of Lands to urgently make available a parcel of land to the Agency while adding that his Head of Service provide office accommodation in the two other senatorial districts to improve the logistics challenges being faced by NAFDAC in the state.

Gaidam who also promised to provide an operational vehicle to the Agency says the donation demonstrates the commitment in assisting NAFDAC rid the state of the menace of drug misuse and poor handling of pesticides and agro-chemicals.

He stated this while receiving the Acting Director General, NAFDAC , Mrs. Yetunde Oni in his office on an advocacy visit ahead of the agency’s sensitisation campaign on ‘Rational use of Controlled Medicines, Safe handling of Chemicals and Responsible use of pesticides and Agricultural Chemicals’ in the state.

The governor described the initiative as “a bold step taken by NAFDAC to enlighten the public about the dangers posed by the irrational use of drugs, pesticides and chemicals. This way, the public will be kept abreast of the unpleasant consequences for society if left unchecked,” he said.

The Ag DG, who presented the requests to the governor said the parcel of land will house a NAFDAC stand alone office, warehouse and laboratory complex, the implication of which she states will enhance the performance of the agency in the state, shorten the registration process and bring the activities of the agency closer to the grassroots.

“Public enlightenment is one of the key strategies deployed by NAFDAC in the fight against substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome and spurious regulated products. We will continue to sensitise the general public on the public health implications of these substandard, falsified and unwholesome regulated products and the efforts of NAFDAC in tackling this ugly menace,” she said.