As part of its efforts to promote productive interaction with stakeholders and in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has introduced ‘Small Business Support Desk’ to encourage small scale businessmen/women in various parts of the country.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who made this known at a stakeholders’ forum organized by NAFDAC in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State said that the idea behind the introduction of the Small Business Support Desk is to stimulate industrialization and alleviate poverty in the country.
Dr. Orhii noted that the Small Business Support Desk will create an opportunity to liaise with the industry. “We have our rules and regulations in NAFDAC but we want to hear from you, to exchange views, to know areas to correct you,” he said.
The aim of the Small Business Support Desk is to create a platform to liaise with small businesses to foster greater understanding of NAFDAC procedures and also to serve as an enquiry point for clients on regulatory issues. The desk also aims to improve access to information on product registration, to provide timely feedback to stakeholders and sectoral groups and to clarify NAFDAC’s laws and regulations to the regulated industry.
Dr. Orhii also stated that NAFDAC had come up with E-Registration where business owners can register their products with the Agency within the confines of their offices. He added that the Agency has reduced the period of registration of products to 90days provided clients submit the requisite documents promptly, assuring small business operators of the Agency’s readiness to support the registration of their products to meet acceptable standards.
The NAFDAC Director-General also decried the indiscriminate use and wrong application of agro-chemicals and pesticides on farm produce and said the Agency is working to clean up the chemical market. The Agency has also organized series of workshops and awareness campaigns to educate people on the appropriate use of these chemicals.
Stakeholders at the forum applauded and commended Dr. Orhii for his dogged and concerted effort in bringing NAFDAC closer to the industry in the fight against counterfeit drugs and sub-standard regulated products.
Abubakar Jimoh
Ag. Director, Special Duties
