The Ondo State Competition and Consumer Protection Agency and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have agreed to strengthen collaboration to protect residents from adulterated products, counterfeit medicines and illicit substances across the state.
The partnership was discussed when the Chairman of the Ondo State Competition and Consumer Protection Agency, Oluyemi Fasipe, led the agency’s management team on a courtesy visit to the Ondo State Command of the NDLEA.
The team was received by the state Commander of the NDLEA, Commander Folayemi Adeyemo, and other senior officers of the command.
Fasipe said the visit was aimed at introducing the ODCCPA to the NDLEA command and identifying areas where both agencies could work together to protect consumers and safeguard public health and safety.
He said the proposed areas of collaboration included intelligence sharing, joint sensitisation programmes, training of officers, product identification, coordinated operations and timely referrals of cases between the agencies.
Fasipe said the agencies would also pay particular attention to adulterated alcoholic beverages, counterfeit medicines and health products, illicit substances disguised as consumer goods and unsafe products being sold to young people.
He added that activities in hotels, lounges and entertainment establishments would also form part of the areas of common interest between the two agencies.
Adeyemo, while appreciating the visit, welcomed the proposed collaboration and assured the ODCCPA of the command’s support and readiness to work with the agency on matters of mutual concern.
The ODCCPA chairman said the engagement had further strengthened the relationship between the two agencies, expressing optimism that their partnership would promote intelligence sharing, timely referrals and coordinated action in the interest of residents of Ondo State.