NAFDAC shuts illegal insecticide company in Kano

A Kano-based Chinese company has been closed down by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for producing a substandard and unregistered brand of insecticide called ‘Wave Tide Mosquito coil’.

The company, Plant Fibre Mosquito Coil, is located on No.49, Maisikeli Road, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the ancient city.

Mr. Paul Akeh, a Chief Regulatory Officer with the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC, Lagos, who led the operation, made the disclosure while addressing journalists shortly after shutting down the factory.

He disclosed that following intelligence reports, officials of the agency had visited the company on September 28, when they discovered some violations and directed the company to regularise its registration processes with the agency. He said the decision to shut down the company was taken when officials of the company refused to show up as directed.

He said, “Since the company is not registered by NAFDAC, the safety of its products is not ascertained or guaranteed. The finished products are bearing Chinese address while they are being produced in Nigeria.”

According to him, the chemicals used for the production of the insecticide were imported from China and labelled in Chinese language in contravention of NAFDAC’s requirements.

“They import the untreated coils and pass them through their machines to add the chemicals,” he added.