Babatunde Irukera, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, FCCPC has applauded the effective working relationship between the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
He made the commendation during a virtual courtesy call on the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye.
Irukera stated that he was satisfied that FCCPC’s most important enforcements have been in the area of what NAFDAC oversees.
“And I dare say that these enforcements have been very successful because we go in to check something, and even on site, we find things and call NAFDAC, and less than an hour, NAFDAC has deployed.
“We have had an extremely collaborative working relationship. We might downplay it, but I think it’s something that we should even highlight. It could very well be an example for how inter-agency collaboration can truly protect citizens”, Irukera emphasised.
He further extolled how the clear leadership provided in the food and drug sector by the DG, NAFDAC had allowed both agencies to cascade the relationship between the two chief executives to their staff, stressing that that’s how the relationship can be institutionalised.
“Because sooner than later, Prof., you won’t be at NAFDAC, and I won’t be here, but these people who we have learnt to work together with, will remain on the job and carry it on. I think that’s something that makes me very proud”, he disclosed,
Responding to the EVC, the Director General, NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, said the wisdom that goes into the creation of parastatals is very interesting because different agencies can complement one another.
She acknowledged that since she came on board as the DG, NAFDAC, the relationship that both agencies have built had prevented conflicts.
According to Professor Adeyeye, consumer protection is extremely important in a community where people know their rights and can fight for their rights.
The DG explained that it is a national strategy for NAFDAC to safeguard the health of the people, whether it comes through complaints from FCCPC or from the quality that is embedded in her agency’s regulatory framework.
Both organisations agreed to set up a joint committee to work on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will act as a credible template for the working relationship between them.
Dr. Adamu Ahmed Abdullahi, Executive Commissioner (Operations), FCCPC and Mr. Kolawole Alabi, Executive Commissioner (Corporate Services), FCCPC, including directors and top management staff of both agencies attended the meeting.