The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Ogun State Police Command have strengthened their partnership to enforce regulations on the sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks in the state.
The joint enforcement is aimed at protecting public health and reducing the risks linked to the easy availability of cheap and highly portable alcoholic drinks, particularly among children and young people.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Deputy Superintendent of Police 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, Mr Akinwale Fagoroye, led a delegation from the agency to the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, where they met with the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni.
During the meeting, Fagoroye said the enforcement exercise, which had commenced in Abeokuta, would be extended to other parts of the state.
He said the exercise would continue until manufacturers, distributors, sellers and other stakeholders fully complied with the regulations.
A major focus of the enforcement is the removal from circulation of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200 millilitres, equivalent to 20 centilitres.
“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 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 expected to inspect markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars, warehouses, factories and other locations where regulated products are produced, stored or sold.
The agency also has powers to take action against fake, unregistered, substandard, adulterated and expired products, as well as products with improper labelling.
Facilities operating without the required approvals may also face enforcement action.
Fagoroye said the exercise was designed to protect public health and reduce the harmful effects associated with the easy access to cheap alcoholic drinks.
He expressed particular concern about the possible exposure of children and young people to such products.
The availability of alcoholic drinks in small and easily portable packages has been a subject of concern among health authorities and other stakeholders because such products can be bought and consumed without much difficulty.
The enforcement in Ogun is therefore part of the wider effort to ensure that alcoholic products placed on the market comply with approved regulations.
Responding, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended NAFDAC for its efforts to protect public health.
He assured the agency of the police command’s continued cooperation and the provision of 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 also said the police were enforcing the Liquor Act and other applicable laws regulating the sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks in the state.
He said the enforcement was intended to prevent the unlawful sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks and curb activities that could endanger public safety.
Ojajuni said particular attention would be paid to practices that could expose young people to harmful activities.
He urged manufacturers, distributors, sellers and consumers across Ogun to comply with the relevant regulations and cooperate with authorised enforcement officers.
The commissioner also appealed to members of the public to report suspected fake, unsafe or unapproved products to the appropriate authorities.
He said residents should also report illegal activities involving the sale and distribution of alcoholic drinks.
The partnership between NAFDAC and the police reflects the need for regulatory agencies to work with security authorities when enforcing laws that affect public health and commercial activities.
While NAFDAC is responsible for regulating and controlling food, drugs and other products under its mandate, the police provide security and support where enforcement operations require it.
Ogun, one of Nigeria’s most industrialised states, has a large number of markets, factories, transport routes and commercial centres. These create a wide distribution network for alcoholic products and other consumer goods.
The enforcement teams will therefore have to cover a broad area as the operation moves beyond Abeokuta to other parts of the state.
The authorities are expected to focus not only on manufacturers but also on wholesalers, retailers, bars, warehouses and other points where alcoholic drinks are sold or stored.
NAFDAC has repeatedly advised members of the public to avoid unregistered and improperly labelled products because their contents may not meet required safety standards.
Consumers are also encouraged to check product information and report suspicious products to the agency.
The Ogun police command said it would continue to support lawful regulatory operations aimed at protecting lives and ensuring public safety.
The command maintained that compliance with the law was necessary to prevent the circulation of products that could harm residents.
For NAFDAC, the immediate priority is to ensure that the regulated alcoholic products are removed from locations where they are being sold or distributed in violation of the applicable rules.
The agency has warned stakeholders against resisting enforcement officers, stressing the need for cooperation to achieve full compliance.
As the exercise expands across Ogun, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers are expected to take note of the regulations and ensure that their activities do not violate the law.
The joint operation also sends a warning to those involved in the production, distribution or sale of prohibited alcohol packaging that enforcement will not be limited to Abeokuta.
NAFDAC and the police have made it clear that the exercise will continue until compliance is achieved across the state.