FORMER Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, condemned the alleged demand of N700,000 from traders to reopen their Onitsha Head Bridge Market shops.
The former Governor described the action as “insensitive” and called on authorities to reconsider the charge.
The ICIR reports that the N700,000 demand and an ‘undertaking form’ to be signed by pharmaceutical traders’ shop owners across the board, followed months of closure of the market by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) in its fight against substandard drugs. The N700,000 payment and signing of the letter of undertaking by all pharmaceutical traders at the Onitsha Head Bridge market shops is a precondition for reopening of their shops, respectively, an affected shop owner who was not officially authorised to speak on the matter told The ICIR.
Obi, in a statement released on Tuesday, May 27, via X, recalled his earlier visit to the market during the initial phase of its closure. He said he had stood in solidarity with regulatory authorities, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, in their efforts to rid society of fake drugs and counterfeit goods.
“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,” Obi stated.
He explained that his support was based on the understanding that investigations would be conducted quickly and the market reopened promptly to reduce the hardship on small business owners, many of whom are already struggling under Nigeria’s current economic climate.
“It is, therefore, deeply unfortunate to learn that shop owners are now being asked to pay N700,000 to reopen their stores,” he said.
Obi expressed concern over the impact of such charges on small and medium-scale enterprises, pointing out that more than seven million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises have collapsed in Nigeria in the past two years.
“Our MSMEs’ 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.
He described the demand for such payment as “economic sabotage” and urged relevant authorities to reconsider the decision in the interest of justice and economic recovery.
“These shop owners have already endured prolonged closures, mounting unpaid bills, and economic strain. Adding further burdens to them and their families at this time is simply unjust,” Obi added.
While affirming his earlier position, the former presidential candidate said, “Let us prioritise compassion, economic recovery, and the survival of our small businesses at this critical time in our nation.”
He appealed to the authorities once more, saying, “Please review and drop this charge. Allow these businesses to reopen. Compassion must lie at the root of government action.”
Meanwhile, a pharmaceutical dealer at the Onitsha Bridge Head Market, who is a victim of business closure but explained that he was not among those found guilty of fake drug selling, while speaking with The ICIR alleged that “the exercise was shrouded in secrecy.”
“They didn’t make their findings on the so-called fake drug. How can everyone with a shop pay N700,000 whether NAFDAC finds them culpable of fake drugs or not? The payment is across the board and not even those not guilty of fake drugs are exempted,” he noted.
The ICIR reached out to NAFDAC’s official spokesperson, Abubakar Jimoh, but the phone was switched off as of the time of filling this report.
Harrison Edeh is a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, always determined to drive advocacy for good governance through holding public officials and businesses accountable.