The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned against the importation of syringes from foreign countries over fears it will kill local manufacturing firms.

The agency said this in a statement signed by NAFDAC director-general Mojisola Adeyeye on Sunday.

Ms Adeyeye admonished members of the new executive of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) who were on a courtesy visit to her office in Lagos to think more of the interest of the country’s above personnel as clearing agents in the nation’s ports.

She urged the agents to join forces with the NAFDAC to end the rejection of Nigerian food exported to the EU, U.S. and other Western countries.

The NAFDAC chief noted with regret that intelligence reports reaching her indicated that some compromises are made at the port of entry in allowing the illegal importation of unregistered containers of syringes into the country.

The NAFDAC boss expressed sympathy for local manufacturers.

Ms Adeyeye explained the important role of licensed customs agents, which is pivotal in facilitating the legal and safe import and export of goods and ensuring compliance with required standards.

‘’Nigeria has lost billions of naira in trade that could have benefitted our people. About 70 per cent of our exports are rejected, food products especially. All these rejected products did not go through NAFDAC regulatory assessment. It disgraces us as a country,” the NAFDAC boss stated.

(NAN)