Business
…urges NAFDAC To speedily reopen market
By Chizoba Okeke
CONCERNED that the closure of Øgbø-Øgwu Market, Onitsha has jeopardized the livelihoods of over 10,000 traders, apprentices, and their dependents, Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to expedite its inspection and reopen the market.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved during Tuesday’s plenary session by the member representing Aguata Constituency Two, Hon. Tony Moubike.
The lawmaker also called on market leaders to establish strict monitoring structures to identify and report illicit activities within the market.
Hon. Moubike lamented that many innocent traders and apprentices are now suffering for an offense they had no part in and that many of the apprentices who are youths may be lured into antisocial behavior including crime and criminality if the closure of the markets was further prolonged.
Øgbø-Øgwu and some adjoining markets have remained closed by NAFDAC since February 9, 2025.
Speaker of the House, Somtochukwu Udeze, acknowledged the numerous appeals and concerns regarding the prolonged closure, stressing that the manner in which the verification exercise is being conducted is causing undue hardship to constituents and called for its speedy reopening.
A.I
Feb. 26, 2025
Tags: Chizoba Okeke NAFDAC Somtochukwu Udeze
