From Princely Onyenwe
IMO: The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), has promised to collaborate with National Drug Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) to drastically reduce drug production and intakes in Imo state.
The aim is targetted at minimizing and reduction of the intake and trading of illicit drugs and adulterated products in all the nooks and crannies of Imo State.
The collaboration was officially reached when the officials of NDLEA Imo State Command paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of Consumer Protection Commission, Imo State, Hon. Mrs. Obioma Okafor, at the Commission’s Office, New Owerri, on Thursday, 3rd August,2023.
Welcoming NDLEA to CPC, Okafor assured the NDLEA that CPC, which she said does not tolerate sub- standard, fake or adulterated products or commodities, sharp practices, would always collaborate with it in the fight against illicit drugs abuse and dealing for a better Imo society.
Okafor regretted that drug abuse and fraudulent activities are prevalent in Imo State, menaces she stressed would take much time, with adequate and collaborative efforts among government and community, to abrogate or reduced minimally.
While pointing out that CPC under her watch had destroyed many expired, fake, adulterated products recovered from marketers in both open markets, super markets and mini stores, punctured illegal services across the state, introduced measurement cups, trained people (school children) on being aware of their rights as consumers, Okafor noted that the CPC had warned patent medicine dealers against manufacturing and selling of fake products.
Speaking earlier, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Zonal Commander, Owerri, Sumaila Ethan, said the courtesy visit was geared at soliciting for thorough partnership with the Consumer Protection Commission to enable NDLEA eliminate anything that has to do with illicit drug (or paten medicine) in Imo State.
According to Sumaila, the “courtesy visit by NDLEA is to collaborate with CPC to ensure that all the illegal drugs and other things that are not in tandem with the law are properly dealt with. NDLEA sees CPC as partners in progress and we have to work with the Commission”.
He however described the DG of CPC, Hon. Mrs. Obioma Okafor, as a non compromising and competent public servant who has made positive impact in the protection of consumer’s rights and saving their lives.
Stating that Governor Hope Uzodinma has assisted the Commission greatly hence its monumental positive record on protecting the rights of consumers.
In addition, the combined forces will deal ruthlessly with any culprit as well as destroying bad products, reducing shortchanging and preventing excess commercial frauds.
The DG therefore advised Imo Youths to shun drug abuse to have brighter existence, just as she urged parents to monitor activities of their children or wards, as well as show good example.
Meanwhile, these agencies have been in operation but the rate at which illicit drugs intake alongside it’s products are spreading the state calls for immediate combat against it’s camps scattered all over the states.
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