The Ogun State Police Command and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have intensified enforcement against the circulation of alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, as well as other unapproved and unsafe regulated products across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, disclosed this when he received the State Coordinator of NAFDAC Ogun Office 1, Mr. Akinwale Fagoroye, and his delegation at the Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, where they discussed ways of strengthening inter-agency cooperation and providing security support for NAFDAC’s enforcement activities.
Fagoroye said the enforcement exercise, which commenced in Abeokuta, had been extended to other parts of Ogun State and would continue until full compliance was achieved and alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml (20cl) were removed from circulation.
He explained that the exercise was part of NAFDAC’s efforts to protect public health and reduce the harmful effects associated with easy access to cheap and highly portable alcoholic drinks, particularly among children and young people.
The NAFDAC official urged manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers to comply with the directive and cooperate with enforcement officials.
He said NAFDAC teams were conducting checks at markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars, warehouses, factories and other locations where regulated products were produced, stored or sold.
According to him, the agency would also take action against fake, unregistered, substandard, adulterated, expired or wrongly labelled regulated products, as well as facilities operating without the required approvals.
Responding, CP Ojajuni commended NAFDAC for its efforts to safeguard public health and assured the agency of the Police Command’s continued cooperation and necessary security support during lawful enforcement operations.
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 Ogun State.
He said the enforcement was aimed at preventing unlawful sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages and curbing activities capable of endangering public safety, particularly those exposing young people to harmful practices.
CP Ojajuni stressed that the Police and NAFDAC would continue to collaborate within their respective mandates to ensure compliance with the law and protect residents from products and activities that could pose risks to their health and safety.
He urged manufacturers, distributors, sellers and consumers across the state to comply with relevant regulations and cooperate with authorised enforcement officers.
The Commissioner also called on 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 reaffirmed its commitment to supporting lawful regulatory enforcement and other government efforts aimed at protecting lives, promoting public safety and safeguarding the well-being of residents.
