Chemical dealers in Nigeria have been called upon to adhere strictly to international best practices in the manufacture, marketing and importation of chemicals into the country in order to prevent the hazardous effect of improper use of chemicals.
The advice was given by various speakers during an awareness/sensitization workshop for stakeholders on chemical registration and management in Nigeria organized by NAFDAC in conjunction with NAKACHI Consulting Ltd in Port Harcourt.
The Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii who was represented at the one-day event by the South-South Zonal Head, Mr. Benson Kine, said that the agency will not relent in safeguarding people’s health by ensuring that only the right chemicals are manufactured, imported, distributed, sold and used in Nigeria.
He added that the automation of importation of chemical and e-permit portal will soon be developed by t4ie agency in registration of chemicals.
Some of the lectures centre on importance of chemical Regulation and Management on Health, Safety and Environment by Prof Oladele Osibanjo and Dr. Gilbert Adie of University of Ibadan; an Overview of the Activities/Functions of Chemical Evaluation and Research (CER) Directorate NAFDAC by Momodu Segiru-Momodu – Director, CER NAFDAC; Chemical Stock Management by Dr. S.S Momodu; Precursor Chemicals by Hashim U Yusufu- Director, Narcotics Controlled Substances, NAFDAC; Raw Materials Procurement and form M by Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja; Household Chemicals by Folashde Ayoade of CRE, NAFDAC among other presentations The Deputy Director in Chemical Evaluation and Research Directorate, Mr Sikiru Olwo, said that with the establishment of the Directorate issues relating to granting of chemical permit to qualified applicants is now seamless and expeditiously handled and urged applicants to ensure that they present genuine Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to facilitate quick processing of their applications
In another development, NAFDAC has called on frozen food dealers! cold room operators in Rivers State to ensure that they maintain adequate cold chain to prevent their products from going bad
The NAFDAC Coordinator in Rivers State, Mrs. Mercy Ndukwe gave the advice during the destruction of unwholesome frozen poultry product worth Ni 2million in Port Harcourt
Ndukwe said that “the frozen chicken product in 305 bags valued at Ni,207,800.00 was voluntarily handed over to NAFDAC for destruction when the company — Saturn Frozen Food Ltd realized that the product has expired while others have short shelve life.”
“Saturn Frozeh Food Limited located at Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt approached NIFDAC for approval to destroy their unwholesome: frozen poultry product which was granted to them after signing the consent for forfeiture certificate leading to its eventual destruction,” Ndukwe stated.
She commended the management of Saturn Frozen Food Limited for voluntarily handing over the product for destruction and urged cold room operations to always ensure that their cold chain are in perfect working condition to avoid the spoilage and contamination of products and endeavour to dispose of bad products to prevent infecting people with micro organisms.
The frozen chicken product were crushed and buried in a dump site at Igwuruta, near Port Harcourt in presence of NAFDAC, Rivers State Health Officials and management of Saturu Frozen Food Ltd. ###
