Congressman Afam Ogene attacked drug officials for demanding huge payments from market traders. NAFDAC closed the Onitsha medicine market and forced each shop owner to pay 700,000 naira before reopening. The Labour Party lawmaker represents Ogbaru district and calls the agency's actions terrible and wrong. Official documents prove that drug regulators take this money from every business owner in the market. Over 1,000 traders have already handed over the controversial access fees to government agents.
Parliament members warned NAFDAC officials back in February about harming honest businesses during their operations—gene questions why every trader must pay the same amount, regardless of whether they committed a crime. The market stays closed for months, and drug agency workers cannot catch the real counterfeit medicine criminals. This situation raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of NAFDAC staff in performing their duties. The money collection system appears unfair to innocent shop owners who sell legal products.
The congressman believes the fee system lets guilty parties escape punishment after paying cash. Democratic values and legal fairness oppose this type of blanket punishment against all traders. NAFDAC creates unnecessary controversy that takes attention away from fighting fake medicine problems. The agency must fix this embarrassing situation before losing more public trust and respect.
Parliament members warned NAFDAC officials back in February about harming honest businesses during their operations—gene questions why every trader must pay the same amount, regardless of whether they committed a crime. The market stays closed for months, and drug agency workers cannot catch the real counterfeit medicine criminals. This situation raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of NAFDAC staff in performing their duties. The money collection system appears unfair to innocent shop owners who sell legal products.
The congressman believes the fee system lets guilty parties escape punishment after paying cash. Democratic values and legal fairness oppose this type of blanket punishment against all traders. NAFDAC creates unnecessary controversy that takes attention away from fighting fake medicine problems. The agency must fix this embarrassing situation before losing more public trust and respect.
