NAFDAC, POLICE PARTNER ON ENFORCEMENT OF SACHET ALCOHOL IN OGUN

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Ogun State Police Command have strengthened their collaboration on enforcement activities aimed at regulating the sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks and protecting public health in the state.

The Police Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, Eleweran, Abeokuta, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a post on the command’s X handle on Friday.

According to him, the State Coordinator of NAFDAC Ogun Office 1, Akinwale Fagoroye, led a delegation to the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters, where they met with the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni.

Fagoroye said the enforcement exercise, which began in Abeokuta, would be extended to other parts of the state and continue until full compliance was achieved.

He said the exercise included the removal from circulation of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml.

“The enforcement exercise, which commenced in Abeokuta, is being extended to other parts of Ogun State and will continue until full compliance is achieved,” Fagoroye said.

He explained that the exercise was aimed at protecting public health and reducing the harmful effects associated with easy access to cheap and highly portable alcoholic drinks, particularly among children and young people.

Fagoroye urged manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers to comply with the directive and cooperate with NAFDAC officials during enforcement operations.

NAFDAC enforcement teams are conducting checks at markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars, warehouses, factories and other locations where regulated products are produced, stored or sold.

The agency is also empowered to take action against fake, unregistered, substandard, adulterated, expired or wrongly labelled regulated products, as well as facilities operating without the required approvals.

Responding, Ojajuni commended NAFDAC for its efforts to protect public health and assured the agency of the police command’s continued cooperation and necessary security support during lawful enforcement operations.

“The Police and NAFDAC will continue to work together, within their respective mandates, to ensure compliance with the law and protect residents from activities and products that may pose risks to their health and safety,” Ojajuni said.

The commissioner added that the police were also enforcing the Liquor Act and other applicable laws regulating the sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks in the state.

He said the enforcement was aimed at preventing the unlawful sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks and curbing activities that could endanger public safety, particularly those exposing young people to harmful practices.

Ojajuni urged manufacturers, distributors, sellers and consumers across the state to comply with relevant regulations and cooperate with authorised enforcement officers.

He also encouraged members of the public to report suspected fake, unsafe or unapproved products, as well as illegal alcohol-related activities, to the appropriate authorities.

The Ogun State Police Command said it remained committed to supporting lawful regulatory enforcement and other government efforts aimed at protecting lives, promoting public safety and safeguarding the wellbeing of residents.