Regulatory body goes tough on food importers

Intern 09:56 - 26 May 2016

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sounded out a note of warning to importers that have spent more than five years without establishing a local production plant.

According to Mrs. Yetunde Oni, the acting Director-General of the body, re-reregistration of such operators’ licences would no longer be allowed.

Speaking at a three-day multi-sector Food Nigeria Conference and Exhibition organized by organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions in Lagos, Mrs. Oni explains that NAFDAC currently grants licenses to foreign products manufactured outside the country, provided that a Nigerian representative certifies the application of such manufacturers.

“The representative of a foreign manufacturer must however have a duly executed Power of Attorney from the manufacturer, appointing and authorising him/it to act in that capacity for such products,” she says.

Mrs. Oni noted that while Nigeria's doors are open to safe food imports that can be locally registered, the agency is also looking for foreign food products manufacturers that are ready to establish local plants, transfer technology and in the process, provide employment for Nigerians.

In furtherance of this objective, she advised representatives of foreign companies with products registered with the agency to establish their plants in Nigeria.

This move, she says, is an effort to tackle issues surrounding the activities of food supply chain management, regulations on importation and exportation of items.