Bayelsa State has raised alarm over fake drugs, drinks, and cosmetics causing rising organ diseases.
The government vowed stricter enforcement, urging residents to check products carefully and report offenders.
The Bayelsa State Government has warned that the growing circulation of counterfeit drugs, beverages, and cosmetics in markets is worsening cases of liver, kidney, and lung diseases among residents.
Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mr. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, described the trend as a public health emergency that demands urgent collective action. She noted that several state agencies including the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health, the Environmental Sanitation Authority, and the Consumer Protection Unit under the Ministry of Trade and Investment are already collaborating to curb the menace.
Koku-Obiyai explained that some offenders have been arrested and prosecuted, while fake products seized during enforcement operations are being destroyed. She pointed out that environmental inspectors recently uncovered large stocks of expired soft drinks, body creams, and hair relaxers at the Swali market in Yenagoa.
“As a government, our priority is to safeguard the health of Bayelsans. Every harmful product we discover is confiscated, and those behind their distribution are being held accountable,” she said.
Speaking from her professional background as a nurse, the commissioner linked the rising number of chronic illnesses to consumption and use of these substandard goods. She stressed that dangerous chemicals in counterfeit medicines, drinks, and beauty products can damage vital organs.
“When you visit hospitals like the Federal Medical Centre, you will see the high rate of kidney and liver cases. Many of them are connected to the harmful substances present in fake consumables,” she cautioned.
Koku-Obiyai urged residents to be vigilant, advising them to always check expiry dates, NAFDAC numbers, and product quality before making purchases. She added that unusually cheap prices should serve as warning signs, noting that even packaged water may sometimes be produced under unsafe conditions.
She assured the public that the government will intensify enforcement and maintain confidentiality for citizens who report suspicious products.
“There are preventable deaths occurring because people unknowingly consume fake goods. We want citizens to report such items without fear, as their identities will be protected. It is important to educate our children and communities to identify these red flags,” she said.
