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Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticized the shutdown of markets suspected to be involved in the production and sale of fake drugs....TAP HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY..>>
The markets were shutdown by law enforcement agents after the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) raided the Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, and impounded 10 trucks loaded with fake and expired drugs which were repackaged.
Reacting, Obi who once governed Anambra said the situation “highlights why we continue to experience economic stagnation, and unproductivity in our nation.”
He further stated, “When those who have never built or managed businesses – who do not understand how micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operate – are in charge, they take actions that cripple legitimate businesses and stifle economic growth.
“This is how we have continued to decline – where governance disregards the realities of everyday Nigerians.
“The earlier we embrace the fact that small-scale businesses are a critical part of the economy, the better for us as a developing nation.”
He also spoke about his recent visit to Indonesia, where he engaged with the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and policymakers.
“They clearly demonstrated how Indonesia MSMES provides over 90% of the employment.
“The Indonesian government provides committed support to ensure these MSME businesses thrive, offering access to reduced funding while ensuring that those who violate the law are duly persecuted and punished.
*During my tenure as Governor, Anambra State was the first to seek a partnership with the Bank of Industry to secure special loans for MSMEs. A dedicated committee was set up to ensure that the loans reached those who truly needed them. We also facilitated the establishment of a Bank of Industry branch in Anambra to enhance access to funding.
“When many states were banning motorcycle riders, a.k.a okada riders operations, on allegations that they were involved in criminal activities, I refused to follow suit because I understood the economic implications for small businesses. Instead, I intensified efforts to enhance their operations, creating an environment where small businesses could thrive while collaborating with their unions, and security agencies to weed out the bad actors.
“Similarly, I ensured that certain categories of small businesses, such as wheelbarrow pushers, were exempted from paying taxes to ease their financial burden.
“Today, entire markets are being shut down because of the actions of a few.
“You do not cripple an Ogbo Ogwo market and surrounding markets for several days in the name of enforcement.
“These are people struggling to survive in an already difficult economic environment, yet instead of providing solutions, the government is shutting down markets indiscriminately. This is not governance; it is economic sabotage.
“Small businesses must be protected—not destroyed—if we truly want to build a productive nation.
“I respectfully appeal once again that businesses not involved in the sale of fake drugs should not be shut down due to the huge implications of closing businesses that depend on daily profits to survive. A one-month closure will cripple many of them. We have witnessed similar situations in the past, where businesses reopened only to find that goods with short shelf lives had expired, resulting in huge losses.
“Additionally, I like to advise that shop owners should be present before any searches are conducted on their premises to ensure transparency and fairness,” he said.
