NEWS
NAFDAC introduces online products registration to manufacturers in Osun
NAFDAC introduces online products registration
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Wednesday, introduced online product and company registration for producers and marketers of NAFDAC- controlled and regulated products in Osun.
Mr Akin Fagboroye, Assistant Director, NAFDAC, South West Zonal Office, Ibadan, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting with products’ manufacturers and distributors in Osogbo.
He explained that the online registration was to eliminate bottlenecks and eliminate third parties in product registration process.
Fagboroye explained that the online registration, which had been on for a while, was for limited and certain products, “and the online registration now covered all products controlled and regulated by NAFDAC”.
“The online registration, NAFDAC Automated Products Administration and Monitoring system (NAPAMS), is to enable manufacturers register their products easily from the comfort of their homes.
“The process has been made seamless that an applicant can monitor (online) all the process from: registration, payment, status/stages of registered product and even print out registration certificate of the product without going to NAFDAC office,” he said.
Also, Mrs Roseline Ajayi, Director, NAFDAC South West Zonal Office, Ibadan, said although the online registration was to enable easy registration of products, NAFDAC still had desk officers to attend to customers’ enquires and complaints.
“NAFDAC wants to advance beyond the level 3 international rating in food control and regulation and henceforth, they will be engaging in post-market surveillance.
“You will see us more on the field. Stakeholders, especially in the distribution chain, that do not have the requirements to distribute some NAFDAC regulated products should do the needful, register and get listed with NAFDAC,” she said.
She said defaulters or those that were found short of the requirements during NAFDAC’s visit to their establishments would be sanctioned appropriately.
Dr Isaac Kolawole, Osun NAFDAC State Coordinator, in his remarks, stated that the stakeholders’ meeting was part of the agency’s interactive programme to sensitise, educate and enlighten manufacturers and distributors.
He also said the meeting was to also update everyone on current issues about NAFDAC.
Kolawole said NAPAMS was to enlighten stakeholders that NAFDAC had now provided an automatic e-process for product registration.
“The e-process (electronic process) would eliminate unnecessary documentation, delay in registration and also reduce unnecessary charges being levied on our stakeholders by consultants.
“Prior to the meeting, Osun NAFDAC office has always introduced NAPAMS to stakeholders at every meeting,” he added.
NEWS
EFCC Arrests 24 Suspected Internet Fraudsters
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja Zonal Directorate, have arrested 24 suspected internet fraudsters.
Its Spokesperson, Mr Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
According to him, the suspects were arrested on Friday in Lokoja following credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet-related offences.
He said Items recovered from them include 30 phones, six laptops and three cars.
”The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” Oyewale said. (NAN)
NEWS
Minimum Wage: PDP Berates Kebbi Govt. for Shortchanging Workers
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kebbi, has berated the State Government for allegedly shortchanging Local Government workers after payment of Nov. salary with new minimum wage.
The Spokesperson of the PDP in the state, Alhaji Sani Dododo, made this known in a statement issued to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
“PDP has been keenly following trends of minimum wage payments since its formal announcement in Oct.
this year.“It will be recalled that Gov. Nasir Idris, made a formal declaration to pay the sum of N75,000 as the new minimum wage effective Oct. 2024, for both State and Local Government Workers,” he said.
He added that unfortunately, due to some administrative limitations, local government managers and trade unions solicited for two weeks grace to harmonise their documentation.
“To our greatest dismay and after persistent delays, the local governments and teachers’ minimum wage was finally released this month but was grossly far from the approved amount of N75,000.
“This development was testified by several teachers and LG workers from across the 21 LGAs of the state,” Dododo alleged.
He also wondered why the state and local government employees would have a new minimum wage contrary to the one announced by the governor.
“We challenge the state government to dispute the fact that despite agreed minimum wage figure, the state Is still paying less than N40,000 to almost all categories of staff on Grade Level 3, 4 and 5,” he said.
The PDP imagemaker urged the state government to fulfill its promises to teachers as they played crucial role in reshaping the future of the society.
Reacting to the development in a chat with newsmen, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Alhaji Faruk Abubakar-Sadiq, called on any staff with issues relating to payments to formally ledge complaints withe Ministry for Local Government.
“Any staff with complaints regarding omission or underpayment should lodge his/her complaints to the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs through their respective Directors of Finance and Supply.
“These complaints will be forwarded to the ministry for necessary action,” the chairman assured.
The NULGE boss expressed deep gratitude to Gov. Nasir Idris for his timely approval and implementation of the new minimum wage for all staff in the State Local Government Service.
Abubakar-Sadiq described the gesture as a testament to Gov. Idris’ unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of workers across the state.
He assured the members of the unions that the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was committed to addressing any reasonable complaints arising from the payments.
The NULGE chairman spoke on behalf of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Medical Health Workers of Nigeria. (NAN)
NEWS
Lagos Govt. Gives Island Residents 2-week Ultimatum over Environmental Issues
The Lagos State Government, through its relevant agencies, on Friday, issued a two-week ultimatum to residents of Lagos Island to clean up their environment.
The move aims at addressing growing environmental concerns, including blocked drainage systems, indiscriminate waste disposal, and illegal constructions.
The agencies are Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), office of drainage services and water resources and office of environment services, both from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
Speaking at a sensitisation forum with the residents, the General Manager, LASBCA, Mr Gbolahan Oki, said there would be strict enforcement on illegal and unauthorised building activities, particularly those encroaching on drainage channels.
Oki said, “the nonchalant attitude of some Lagos Island residents towards environmental issues is unacceptable. We are issuing a two-week ultimatum for immediate improvement.
“We have observed numerous instances of illegal constructions, such as shops built on top of drainage systems and shops spilling onto roads.
“Additionally, many residents use their cars as makeshift shops, causing traffic congestion and obstructing pedestrian walkways.
“The Lagos State Government will no longer tolerate such disregard for environmental regulations. We have issued a stern warning to all offenders and will take necessary enforcement actions.’’
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mr Mahmood Adegbite, urged residents of Lagos Island to have a change of attitude toward infrastructure, particularly regarding waste disposal.
He urged them to clear their drains and avoid dumping waste into them, adding that the government planned to expand roads and drainage channels.
Adegbite called on the community to work together with the government to improve the local environment and maintain the new infrastructure.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environment Services, Dr Gaji Tajudeen, also urged the residents to cooperate and change their behaviours, particularly regarding waste disposal.
He told the people that the government would be implementing projects to mitigate flooding risks and enhance the overall environment.
He encouraged the residents to work with the government and ensure responsible waste disposal, using authorised disposal services, and avoid littering drainage systems.
Tajudeen emphasised the importance of these measures for public health and safety, saying that improper waste disposal could contribute to waterborne diseases and other health issues.
The Chairman, Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Mr Folawiyo Muibi, appealed to residents to refrain from dumping refuse into the drainages and maintain a clean environment.
He urged them to also seek assistance from the council if they needed help with waste disposal or other related issues.
Muibi expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government for the planned road infrastructure improvements on Lagos Island East LCDA.
He highlighted the significance of these projects for the community and emphasised the importance of community cooperation to ensure their successful implementation.
The Community Development Committee Chairman, Lagos Island, Chief Elemoro Martins, expressed support for the government’s initiative to improve the environment on Lagos Island.
He also recognised the importance of community engagement in achieving this goal and pledged to convey the message to residents. (NAN)