The Director General of National Agency for Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye has presented a preliminary result of clinical test of the substances that caused the strange illness in Kano State.
She made the presentation during a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at his office in Kano.
Prof Adedeye said “there are five substances that caused the strange illness. Out of the five substances, only three were registered and the remaining two were not registered. We still wonder how they came into the country. As our investigation reveals that they were not imported into the country through our Ports”.
“Some of those substances are poisonous. When one takes them, he or she would find it very difficult to breathe normally. That is close to death”, she added.
Agency’s commitment
Adeyeye disclosed that there are six Directorates on the issue engaged in trying to define coherent and scientific explanation to it.
“The substances have Citric Acid. We also went to two companies that have the registered substances with them. Though their substances are registered but we still put them on hold to avoid certain things until after our examination”, she said.
Adeyeye assured that when the final result is out they would present it to the state government. She commended the effort being put by the Acting Managing Director of the State Consumer Protection Council, Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, on his unrelenting commitment in fighting the marketing of the poisonous substances alongside fake and counterfeit drugs trooping into the state.
“I am pleased and glad to inform you that our Agency will establish Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) here in Kano. Sir it is the first one to be established in the country. We are also building state office of the Agency. That will also be with Laboratory so Kano will henceforth have its Laboratory well equipped”, she said.
Governor Ganduje assured them of his administration’s commitment towards partnering with NAFDAC in specified areas, “just to keep our state and the nation in general safer and healthier. We also appreciate your effort in working hand in hand with us in taming this strange illness in the state”.
Ganduje said that for now the source of those substances is known to authorities, “and while we arrested many consignments, we are still combing our markets thoroughly.”
He said he was happy that the process of substance examination was hastened.
“That we are today receiving a preliminary result is commendable. We will also continue with the public enlightenment. We need to work very hard as the Fasting period is fast approaching when people use all kinds of substances as appetizer”, he added.
The Governor reiterated the effort of the state government in building a Drug market at the new Dangwauro Modern market.
“The Drug market there is almost completed. We put in place offices of NAFDAC, NDLEA, Customs and Excise among other relevant agencies. We will not relent in our effort to control drug market in the state”, he said.
The NAFDAC boss presented an Award of Excellence to the Governor for his commitment and unhindered political will in dealing decisively with drug abusers in the state.
Nneka Ukachukwu
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