NAFDAC DG assures chemical products experts of support

Stakeholders in chemical products industry have been assured of a fair treatment.

National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director-General Prof Moji Adeyeye gave the assurance at a stakeholders’ meeting tagged, “Meet NAFDAC DG”, in Lagos.

Adeyeye said the agency has been inundated with complaints of unauthorised personnel, especially the police. “So, NAFDAC will be approaching the lawmakers to assist it in addressing the issue, as well as describing the line of action of every organ of government responsible for doing what. There is no multiple regulators over chemicals in Nigeria, it is solely NAFDAC’s.

“We are not resting on our oars as we are repositioning the agency to do the right things. This agency does not exploit stakeholders but believes in due diligence.

“It is also worthy of note that chemical permits processing and authorisation is done electronically via the Single Window Trade Portal (www.trade.gov.ng/nafdac). Generally observed lapses include: untimely renewals of listing certificates, incomplete documentations e.g. inadequate stock cards and utilisation records, safety data sheets without chemical compositions, illegible attachments to the portal, non-compliance to good warehousing practice, to mention but a few,” she explained.

The DG added that the agency has developed an objective risk assessment method for chemicals, adding: “The demand for agricultural produce both in Nigeria and other countries is on the increase, however, agricultural produce from Nigeria are still been rejected by importing countries as a result of high level of pesticides residues occasioned by misapplication of pesticides and agrochemicals.”

Adeyeye explained that the agency’s Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products Directorate was created as part of the restructuring effort to give greater impetus to the pesticides’ and agrochemicals regulation.

She said the Directorate provides advice on the safety, efficacy and quality of pesticide and agrochemicals, issues permits for pesticide, agrochemicals, fertiliser import, listing of agrochemical marketer, GMP inspection of pesticides and agrochemical facilities and permit monitoring.

“VMAP Directorate collaborates with research institutes in Nigeria to conduct field trial evaluation of new molecules (pesticides and agrochemicals) bio-fertiliser, bio-pesticides introduced into the country to ascertain the efficacy and safety of these products. The directorate collaborates with stakeholders and professionals to ensure appropriate use of pesticides and agrochemicals and should desist from using banned products, so exported farm produce will no longer be rejected,” Adeyeye said.