The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control said it recorded huge success in enforcing the ban on alcoholic beverages in Edo State in 2024, at the end of a five-year moratorium.

Coordinator of the agency in Edo, Esther Itua, disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin City.

Ms Itua, while recounting the successes of the agency in the state in 2024, said it successfully enforced the ban on unregistered products.

She said, “We started the enforcement of the ban on February 1, 2024, and it’s been a game-changer. We sent letters to major supermarkets and outlets, instructing them to stop displaying unregistered products.”

According to her, the response has been impressive with many local manufacturers coming forward to register their products.

She said that the regulatory agency made the process easier and more affordable for small and medium scale enterprises in the state.

“We made the registration process easier and more affordable, with a fee of just N37,000. We also prioritised MSMEs products in our laboratory testing, ensuring faster turnaround times,” she said.

Ms Itua, however, acknowledged that there were still challenges to overcome, particularly on information sharing.

She stated, “One of the major hurdles we face is lack of information from the public. We need consumers to report suspicious products and practices, so we can take action.’’

Ms Itua said that the goal of NAFDAC was to ensure that products sold in Edo State were safe, effective, and of good quality.

(NAN)