The National Agency For Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Rivers State have raised alarm over the flooding of Nigerian markets with imported frozen chicken and turkey products alleged to be unhealthy for human consumption.
Both agencies raised the alarm in separate interviews in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday.
The Rivers State Director of NOA, Mr. Oliver Wolugbom, who spoke to The Tide in an exclusive interview in his office said that the agency has it on good authority, that some unscrupulous Nigerians have taken advantage of the nation’s porous borders to smuggle unhealthy chicken and turkey products into the country.
According to him, the products have been assessed to contain some hazardous substances which have the tendency of causing cancer, kidney diseases and hypertension if consumed.
The NOA director urged Nigerians especially those resident in Rivers State, to stop the consumption of Frozen Chicken and turkey, adding that people should rather go for live Chicken.
He also stressed the need for members of the public to stop patrionising suppliers of these products until they are mopped up from the markets.
Wollugbom also stressed the need for the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Ministry of Health to collaborate with security agencies to ensure that the products are located and destroyed.
Also speaking, the south-South Zonal Media Officer of NAFDAC, Mr. Cyril Monye, confirmed that the agency was aware of the ugly development and was working round the clock to trade the products.
He urged security agencies to be on the alert for any imported Frozen Chicken and turkey, and inform the agency accordingly.
However, efforts to get the reaction of the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health on the issue proved abortive as he was alleged to have gone to Government House, and could also not be reached on phone.
It would be recalled that the federal government had banned the importation of Frozen Chicken and turkey products for similar reasons as well as to encourage local livestock businesses grow to boost the economy and stimulate national development.
L-R: Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr Chris Ezike, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike and Managing Director, Port Harcourt Refinery Company, Dr Bafred Ejugu, during the governor’s visit to the company in Port Harcourt last Wednesday.