NAFDAC Cracks Down: Two Chemical Shops Sealed in Edo for Safety Violations

Edo Chemical Shops Sealed: Inside NAFDAC’s Recent Enforcement Action

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed two chemical shops in Benin City, Edo State, for operating without the necessary licenses and failing to implement required safety measures.

The affected shops are:

• Golden Juliros Nigeria Ltd.: Located on Evbiemwen Street, Off Wire Road.
• Onebamchi Chemicals: Situated at Ramat Park Market.

These operations were carried out by NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Unit from Asaba, alongside staff from the Edo office in Benin.

Edo State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Esther Itua, stated that the two shops had been under surveillance for years and had disregarded advice to obtain proper licensing as chemical dealers.

She emphasized that one of NAFDAC’s statutory mandates is to monitor and control the manufacture, distribution, sale, advertisement, and use of regulated products, including chemicals.

Itua explained that individuals or entities intending to deal in chemicals locally are required to obtain a chemical listing, which serves as a license issued by the agency.

Before issuance, certain conditions must be met, such as registration as a company in Nigeria, provision of a suitable warehouse for storing chemicals, and employment of qualified staff.

The coordinator noted that the shops failed to meet these conditions, which would have warranted an inspection by the agency.

She also highlighted that Golden Juliros is a major chemical dealer in Edo State and had been encouraged to obtain the necessary chemical listing, which is renewable every two years.

Additionally, the facility was found to be operating without Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), particularly nose masks for staff, raising concerns about safety standards.

The enforcement actions are part of NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with regulations governing the sale and distribution of chemicals, thereby safeguarding public health and safety.