Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kola Oyelere
Published on 2024-02-21 12:49:34
Traders in the ancient city of Kano have reached out to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN) to request the reopening of over 1,321 shops that were sealed for allegedly selling drugs in the state. The Kano plaza, which houses many shops including medicine stores, phone sellers, and other items, saw the majority of drug stores being sealed and directed to relocate to Dangwauro Market, as per the recent court ruling of Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court in Kano.
The NAFDAC officials locked and key the only entrance gate into the premises of the plaza to prevent drug store owners from gaining entrance. However, the leaders of the affected group, Aminu Zakari Kusa and Abdulhadi Manzo, highlighted that the plaza is not solely under the ownership of drug dealers and emphasized that a complete closure of the plaza is unnecessary.
During a press briefing, the leaders expressed their concerns over the closure of their shops, citing the current economic challenges in the country. They emphasized that their families’ well-being is at stake and urged all concerned parties to assist them in reopening their shops at Karami Plaza in Kano. The affected shop owners also noted that a significant portion of the shops within the plaza do not deal with drug-related items and called upon the authorities to reopen their shops to continue their businesses. They argued that the closure without any legal infractions constitutes a violation of their fundamental rights to trade.
Additionally, they affirmed their commitment to abiding by the law and refraining from taking matters into their own hands. In response to the issue, Kano’s NAFDAC Coordinator, Mr. Kasim Ibrahim, stated that instructions had been given to reopen shops not involved in drug sales after verification. He acknowledged the traders for their patience and explained that the closure was in the public interest, following the Federal High Court’s ruling.
The affected traders emphasized the need for the timely reopening of their shops to alleviate the financial strain they are currently facing. They also highlighted the impact on their livelihoods and urged NAFDAC and PCN officials to consider the consequences of the prolonged closure.
In conclusion, the traders in Kano are appealing to NAFDAC and PCN to reconsider the closure of their shops, citing the lack of legal infractions and the detrimental impact on their livelihoods. They are seeking a swift resolution to the issue and are committed to abiding by the regulations governing their businesses.
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