Lagos – A traditional medicine practitioner, Mr Owolabi Gafar, on Friday urged the Federal Government to sensitise Nigerians on the duties of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration And Control (NAFDAC).
Gafar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that most manufacturers of herbal medicines were scared to approach the organisation.
He said that most of the herbal drug manufacturing companies had drugs/herbs that could cure most communicable and incommunicable ailments but were scared to display such.
Gafar said the government should organise television and radio programmes to project the roles of the organisation in English and the three major Nigerian languages for effective understanding.
“So many people have told me that NAFDAC is only out to chase people out of business.
“They say that once you go to them, you should be ready to get out of business.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
“The duties of NAFDAC could be explained in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and English on most television and radio stations
“This should be done simultaneously for six months until everyone is able to understand NAFDAC duties off hand,’’ he said.
Gafar also urged the Federal Government to develop the available road network and try to create more to facilitate people’s movement around the country.
He said this had been a major challenge to his business which, he noted, was also affecting a lot of his friends in business.
“I feel incapacitated each time I am unable to move my herbs to some parts of the state where people place great demand.
“I only transport a small quantity with motorcycles and will have to go to those places repeatedly,’’ Gafar said.
He noted that the government and individuals would generate more revenue when the road networks were well constructed. (NAN)