By John Joseph
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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down two shops in Benin, Edo State, for allegedly selling chemicals without the required licenses and safety measures. The affected shops are Golden Juliros Nigeria Ltd, located on Evbiemwen Street, off Wire Road, and Onebamchi Chemicals at Ramat Park Market in Benin.
According to Esther Itua, Edo Coordinator of NAFDAC, the two shops had been under surveillance for years and had defied repeated warnings to register as chemical dealers. Itua emphasized that NAFDAC’s statutory mandate includes monitoring and controlling the manufacture, distribution, sale, advertisement, and use of regulated products, including chemicals.
To operate as a chemical dealer in Nigeria, one must undergo a process called chemical listing, which is essentially a license issued by NAFDAC. However, before this license is issued, certain conditions must be met, including:
Registering as a company in Nigeria: This involves obtaining the necessary business registration documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Having a warehouse to store chemicals: This ensures that chemicals are stored safely and securely, minimizing the risk of accidents or contamination.
Employing staff: Chemical dealers must have qualified staff who can handle and manage chemicals safely.
The shops in question failed to meet these conditions, prompting NAFDAC to take action. The agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Unit, comprising officials from the Asaba and Edo offices, conducted the operations.
Itua noted that the task force from Asaba was involved due to the magnitude of the two facilities. This highlights the seriousness of the offense and the need for coordinated efforts to ensure compliance with regulations.
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