The Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has once again appealed to relevant authorities to review and drop the charges against Onitsha Head Bridge Market in Anambra State.
Obi made this appeal in a post on his official X handle on Tuesday.
Recall that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, had labeled the market the headquarters of distribution of substandard and fake pharmaceuticals in the country and even in African sub-regions.
Bellnews reports that NAFDAC had in April, announced the reopening of the market, stressing that shop owners must meet strict administrative conditions before the reopening of their shops to prevent a recurrence of the issues that led to the closure.
NAFDAC reopens Onitsha drug market, issues fresh conditions to traders
Obi had questioned the continuous closure of the market, expressing concern that shutting down other neighboring markets not involved in addition to the popular drug market seems excessive and unjustified.
Head Bridge Market: Peter Obi calls for reopening of neighbouring markets
The former Anambra state governor said the shop owners in the market have already endured prolonged closures, mounting unpaid bills, and economic strain.
According to him, adding further burdens to them and their families is simply unjust and an economic sabotage.
“I recall visiting the Head Bridge Market during the initial phase of its closure, standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods.
“I did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges.
“It is, therefore, deeply unfortunate to learn that shop owners are now being asked to pay N700,000 to reopen their stores.
“Already, over 7 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, MSME, have collapsed in the past two years in Nigeria. Our MSME’s businesses are at a we can’t breathe” stage, and the very system that should be offering them oxygen to support their breathing is instead suffocating them,” he said.
The former presidential candidate added that the level of insensitivity is both disturbing and uncaring, urging the prioritization of compassion, economic recovery and the survival of small businesses in the country.
“Surely, I am standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods. I did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges.
“Compassion must lie at the root of government action,” he added.