Economic diversification: NAFDAC unveils plans to support non-oil export

By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has revealed that the Agency is developing an institutional framework in support of non-oil export and economic diversification.

The NAFDAC Director South-South Zone, Pharm.Chukwuma Oligbu made this assertion during a presentation at a one-day symposium organized by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council in Port Harcourt.

The symposium with the theme: “To go global,there is need for certification,” dwelt on the importance of mandatory and non-mandatory certifications required for non-oil export.

Oligbu stated that procedures for export products have been streamlined to reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers to non-oil exports.

Speaking further, he said that NAFDAC has strengthened regulatory systems and transparency by ensuring guidelines, regulations and tariff are available on the Agency’s website.

In the same vein, Pharm
Oligbu has called for the support of the Rivers State Police Command in enforcing NAFDAC mandate.

He made the call during a familiarization visit to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu at the Command’s State Headquarters in Port Harcourt.

He said that “to effectively carry out our mandate and regulatory activities, especially in the riverine areas and other dangerous terrain, we need to synergize and collaborate with the police to achieve success.”

The Commissioner of Police, Disu expressed gratitude for the visit and pledged his support and cooperation in assisting the Agency to fight the crime of faking and counterfeiting of regulated products.