The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi has slammed the officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for allegedly demanding a whopping sum of N700,000 from the already distressed shop owners in Onitsha Head Bridge Market.
Mr. Obi who posted this on his X handle on Tuesday, pointed out that over 7 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) had collapsed in the past two years in Nigeria.
He lamented that the nation’s MSMEs are at “we can’t breathe” stage, and the very system that should be offering them oxygen to support their survival is suffocating them.
The former Governor of Anambra State explained that when he visited the market at the initial phase of its closure, standing in support of the authorities to ensure the society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods. He did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly and the market reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by the current national economic challenges.
However, he said it was disappointing to later discovered that shop owners were being asked to pay ₦700,000 to reopen their stores for structural deficiencies that were not of their own making.
“I have also learnt that there are additional charges based on individual violations. In cases like this, individuals concerned should be held accountable through due process, while innocent traders should not be collectively punished.
“A just approach would distinguish between genuine offenders and compliant business owners, ensuring that enforcement does not become a blanket measure that inflicts undue hardship on the wider market community,” Mr. Obi said.
He said “even if the charges are statutory, given the dire state of the economy today, they should be tempered with understanding. The emphasis should be on ensuring compliance with regulations while granting these business owners reasonable time to meet such requirements.
“Imposing measures that might cripple them further serves no one’s interest. What is needed is rigorous engagement with all stakeholders, with clear agreements being signed to ensure compliance without stifling livelihoods.
“Times are tough – many families are losing their means of sustenance and, in desperation, some are resorting to crime. We cannot afford to create another set of economic victims or push more citizens toward criminality,” he said.
Obi emphasised: “Surely, I continue to stand in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods. But I did so with the belief that investigations would be swift and the market promptly reopened to alleviate the hardship of our small-scale entrepreneurs.
“These shop owners have already faced prolonged closures, mounting unpaid bills, and severe economic strain. To now impose additional financial burdens on them for structural issues beyond their control is not only unjust but also counterproductive.
“In an economy where millions of small businesses are collapsing, the focus should be on relief and recovery, not punishment. It is time to act with compassion and common sense—drop the charges, reopen the market, and allow these entrepreneurs the opportunity to rebuild their livelihoods and contribute to the nation’s economy.”
