By Maryanne Awuya
To strengthen its enforcement activities across the country, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it will require additional 5,000 workforce and increased funding.
“We are 240 million people, and we have 2,000 staff. Indonesia with about 280 million people, has 20,000 staff. We need at least 5,000 more staff because we cannot be everywhere, ” NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said on Thursday.
Speaking during an interview on Channel TV on Thursday monitored by Persecondnews the DG noted that the agency’s current workforce is inadequate to effectively regulate food, drugs and other regulated products for a population of over 240 million people.
According to Adeyeye, the shortage of personnel has made enforcement more challenging, especially as some companies exploit the agency’s limited capacity.
She also appealed for increased funding for the Federal Task Force established under the C34 Bill, noting that although the law empowers NAFDAC to enforce regulations nationwide, it has not received dedicated financial support.
“The Federal Government is listening. We need more staff and we need support,” she said.
Adeyeye expressed optimism that ongoing discussions with the Federal Government would result in stronger institutional support to improve food and drug regulation nationwide.