By Blessing Bature
National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken a step towards enhancing its regulatory inspections and enforcement capabilities by inaugurating 73 brand-new operational vehicles to boost the agency’s efficiency and effectiveness in keeping Nigeria safe from harmful food, drugs, and other regulated products
The Director General, NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye said the 73 vehicles are broken down into several categories, with 43 Hilux vans specifically commissioned at the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Apapa to enhance enforcement and inspection activities.
She said, “This move demonstrates NAFDAC’s commitment to tackling the perennial lack of utility vehicles that has hindered its regulatory work, saying with these new vehicles, NAFDAC staff will no longer have to rely on clients for transportation during inspections, ensuring the integrity of the inspection process.”
Adeyeye, emphasized that the vehicles will also support staff welfare and punctuality, as well as facilitate the agency’s World Health Organization (WHO) audit.
According to her, key benefits of the new vehicles includes to enhanced regulatory inspections, increased Enforcement with effective pursuit of counterfeit and unwholesome products, boosted Staff Welfare to have better working conditions and reduced transportation challenges for staff, Improved Efficiency and enhanced overall operational efficiency in discharging NAFDAC’s mandate
“This development is a significant milestone for NAFDAC, and it’s exciting to see the agency taking proactive steps to safeguard Nigeria’s health and safety”, she noted.
She also addressed staff concerns, reaffirming NAFDAC’s commitment to promotions, estacodes and worker welfare.