As Ogbo Ogwu market, Head Bridge in Onitsha is still under lock and key of theNational Agency for Food, Drug Administration, and Control (NAFDAC), Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has condemned the agency for demanding N700,000 from shop owners in order to reopen the market.
The Ogbo-Ogwu Head Bridge Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State has been sealed since February by NAFDAC following allegations of fake and counterfeit drug distribution.
However, traders under the aegis of Concerned and Genuine Members of Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market protested the continuous closure of their shops by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration, and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday.
The traders numbering over 2,000, carried placards with different inscriptions and marched around the market starting from Oshogbo Park, up to the River Niger Bridge, Onitsha, and back to Uga Junction, claiming that no fewer than five traders have died and several others have been hospitalised due to depression and hunger. They alleged that NAFDAC is demanding N2 million from each person before they would reopen the market.
Empathizing with the traders, Obi who was former governor of Anambra State recalled that he visited the Head Bridge Market during the initial phase of its closure, standing in support of the authorities to ensure that the society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods.
Obi via his official X handle on Tuesday, Obi said that he did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges.
“It is, therefore, deeply unfortunate to learn that shop owners are now being asked to pay ₦700,000 to reopen their stores.
“Already, over 7 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) have collapsed in the past two years in Nigeria. Our MSME’s businesses are at a “we can’t breathe” stage, and the very system that should be offering them oxygen to support their breathing is instead suffocating them.
“This level of insensitivity is both disturbing and uncaring. Let us prioritize compassion, economic recovery, and the survival of our small businesses at this critical time in our nation” he said.
The former governor reaffirmed that he is standing in support of the authorities to ensure that the society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods but also hoped that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market reopened promptly to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by current national economic challenges.
“I want to appeal again to the relevant authorities: please review and drop this charge. Allow these businesses to reopen.
“These shop owners have already endured prolonged closures, mounting unpaid bills, and economic strain. Adding further burdens to them and their families at this time is simply unjust and an economic sabotage” Obi urges FG.
