Tension Between Edo Consumer Protection Committee and NAFDAC Over Seized Sachet Alcohol
Committee Chairman, Iyamu Osaro Culture, insists on protecting consumers, says Edo Government cannot remain passive amid alleged circulation of adulterated products.
A disagreement has reportedly emerged between the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over the handling of seized sachet alcoholic drinks retrieved from shops and markets across the state.
The Chairman of the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee, Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture, disclosed this in an account of his recent encounter with the State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Edo State, following efforts by the committee to establish a working partnership with the agency to protect consumers and curb the circulation of counterfeit and adulterated products.
According to Culture, the committee initially wrote to the NAFDAC State Coordinator requesting a courtesy visit to discuss areas of collaboration aimed at safeguarding public health, protecting consumer rights and addressing unfair business practices in Edo State. However, he said the first letter received no response, prompting the committee to send another request.
He explained that while awaiting a response to the second letter, an enforcement team from NAFDAC’s Zonal Office in Asaba reportedly visited the committee’s office, accompanied by security personnel, demanding the release of sachet alcoholic drinks seized by the committee from various shops and markets.
Culture said he declined to release the seized products, arguing that they were recovered within Edo State and that their release should not be undertaken without the necessary approval of the Edo State Government.
He further stated that three days after the incident involving the NAFDAC zonal enforcement team, the state coordinator responded to the committee’s request for a courtesy visit.
The committee chairman said he subsequently led members of the management committee to the NAFDAC state office for a meeting aimed at discussing the situation and possible areas of cooperation.
Recounting the conversation, Culture alleged that the NAFDAC State Coordinator questioned the committee’s involvement in activities ordinarily associated with the agency.
He quoted the coordinator as asking, “Why are you doing our work?”
In response, Culture said he questioned whether the Edo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, should remain passive while residents allegedly face health risks associated with counterfeit and adulterated products.
He also quoted the NAFDAC coordinator as attributing deaths associated with alcohol consumption to excessive intake rather than counterfeit or adulterated products.
The exchange reportedly became tense when Culture challenged the coordinator’s position, expressing concern that it could undermine efforts to address the circulation of potentially harmful products.
According to him, the coordinator subsequently presented him with an invitation letter from NAFDAC’s Zonal Enforcement Office in Asaba and requested that he sign it.
However, Culture said he declined to sign the document, expressing suspicion about its purpose and alleging that it could be intended to compel his presence in Asaba.
He maintained that the committee would not be intimidated or discouraged from carrying out its consumer protection responsibilities within the state.
Speaking on the committee’s commitment, Culture reaffirmed that his office would continue to safeguard the health and protect the rights of consumers in Edo State in accordance with the SHINE Agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
He emphasised that consumer protection should be a shared responsibility among relevant government agencies and stakeholders, rather than a source of disagreement.
The committee chairman’s account has raised questions about the working relationship between the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee and NAFDAC, particularly regarding the handling of seized products, enforcement jurisdiction and coordination between state and federal regulatory authorities.
As of the time of this report, the NAFDAC State Coordinator’s response to the allegations and account of the meeting was not available.
Stakeholders are expected to encourage constructive engagement between both institutions to ensure that disagreements over jurisdiction or enforcement procedures do not undermine efforts to protect consumers and safeguard public health.