NPMA, NAFDAC move to strengthen partnership, propose MoU

By Joy Enamuna

The Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association has initiated moves to strengthen collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control as part of efforts to improve regulatory compliance and business operations among traders and importers.

The President of the association, Hon. Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, led a delegation of market leaders on a courtesy visit to the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, at the agency’s headquarters on Friday.

Ukatu, whose association represents an amalgamation of 58 market groups across Lagos and its environs, was accompanied by key executives and stakeholders, including the association’s General Secretary, Chief Anthony Okeke; Public Relations Officer, Comrade Obinna Obichukwu; and several leaders of major trading clusters within the Oke Arin and Balogun markets.

Speaking during the meeting, the NPMA leadership said the visit was aimed at fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the regulatory agency, noting that many of its members are importers whose activities fall directly under NAFDAC’s oversight.

The association stressed the need for closer engagement with government regulatory bodies to promote compliance, reduce operational bottlenecks and enhance consumer safety standards within the market system.

As part of the proposed collaboration, the association expressed interest in establishing a help desk within NAFDAC to support traders and facilitate continuous interaction between both parties.

Discussions also centred on plans to formalise the partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to address grey areas and strengthen cooperation for the benefit of businesses and consumers.

Both parties agreed to constitute a joint think tank to develop a roadmap for the proposed partnership.

While NAFDAC is expected to nominate two directors into the committee, the NPMA president will also appoint two representatives from the association to drive the process.

In recognition of her leadership, the NPMA delegation presented an Award of Excellence to Adeyeye on behalf of the association.

Meanwhile, the association’s leadership also paid a courtesy visit to the Zone ‘A’ Coordinator of the Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Babandede, as part of efforts to deepen engagement with key government agencies.

During the meeting, discussions focused on strengthening cooperation to create a more conducive business environment for traders.

The delegation was informed that the Comptroller-General of Customs had received their earlier request for a meeting and was willing to engage with the association at a later date.