The Anambra House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to reopen the Onitsha Drug Market closed on February 9.

The lawmakers, who passed the resolution during the plenary session on Tuesday, said the closure of the market had put the livelihood of at least 10,000 traders, apprentices, and their dependants in danger.

The resolution followed a motion of ‘Urgent Public Importance’ by Mr Tony Moubike (Aguata Constituency 2).

Mr Moubike said NAFDAC should hasten its ongoing inspection process to conclude and reopen the market in no distant time in the people’s interest.

The assembly also called on the market leadership to establish strict monitoring structures to identify and report illicit activities within the market.

Mr Moubike lamented that many innocent traders and apprentices were suffering for an offence they had no hand in.

He also said that many apprentices, who are youths, may be lured into social vices, including crime and criminality, should the market closure persist.

The speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze, said they had received numerous appeals and concerns from members of the public regarding the prolonged closure.

Mr Udeze said the procedure adopted by the agency for the drug inspection was causing undue hardship to the people and called for the quick reopening of the market.

The South-East is notorious for counterfeit goods, including health products.  

(NAN)