Bridge Head Drug Market Reopens After NAFDAC Sanctions: Traders Hail Soludo’s Intervention

 

After months of tension and inactivity, the vibrant hum of commerce has returned to the Bridge Head Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State. This follows  closure enforced by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), over regulatory concerns. The re-opening of the market marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to sanitize drug distribution channels across the region.

Traders and stakeholders heaved a collective sigh of relief as officials from both the state government and NAFDAC carried out a supervisory inspection to assess compliance with regulatory expectations. The inspection team included top figures from both the state and federal levels, signaling the seriousness with which the authorities have approached the matter.

Commissioner for Information in Anambra State, Dr. Law Mefor, led part of the delegation and emphasized the purpose of the visit—to ascertain the market’s official reopening and ensure that trading activities were returning to normal under the conditions stipulated by NAFDAC. Mefor highlighted the state government's role in mediating during the tense period of closure and reiterated its commitment to transparency and safety in drug handling and marketing.

Reassurance came from the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, who extended words of encouragement to the traders, many of whom had endured financial setbacks due to the shutdown. He disclosed that the state government is working on a long-term solution by investing in a modern drug distribution facility located at Oba. This new facility, he noted, would come equipped with world-class storage and regulatory features, ensuring that drug handling meets national and global standards. According to Obidike, the project remains on track and will be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

Traders who have been through weeks of uncertainty expressed cautious optimism about the future of pharmaceutical business in the area. Many acknowledged that while the shutdown was painful, it served as a wake-up call on the importance of regulatory compliance and the risks associated with substandard drug storage practices.

Speaking on behalf of NAFDAC, Pharmacist Omoyeni Babatunji, Deputy Director of Investigation and Enforcement for the South-South and South-East zones, gave a status update during the inspection. He confirmed that approximately 95 percent of shops in the market had resumed business operations, with the remaining five percent still under closure due to ongoing investigations or non-compliance with NAFDAC’s requirements.

The federal agency’s decision to shut down the market was initially met with resistance and concern, but Babatunji insisted that the action was necessary to uphold public health and consumer safety. He added that the agency’s inspection and reopening process has been transparent, fair, and focused on reform, not punishment.

Market leaders have also weighed in on the episode, with the Chairman of the Onitsha Drug Market, Mr. Chukwuleta Ndubisi, offering a heartfelt tribute to Governor Chukwuma Soludo. Ndubisi revealed that it was the Governor’s timely intervention and "fatherly guidance" that helped expedite the reopening process. According to him, Soludo’s appeal to NAFDAC was instrumental in shortening the duration of the closure, which had initially been projected to last much longer.

He described the incident as a defining moment in the market’s history and urged traders to prioritize best practices moving forward. Ndubisi also expressed confidence that the new drug facility at Oba would significantly reduce the chances of future disruptions, providing a more regulated environment for pharmaceutical commerce.

The reopening of the Bridge Head Drug Market is more than just a return to business as usual—it’s a symbolic reset for one of the largest drug markets in West Africa. With stronger regulatory oversight and renewed promises of infrastructure development, both government and traders appear to be charting a new course toward safer and more compliant pharmaceutical trade in Anambra State.

As activity resumes, the episode stands as a powerful reminder of the need for continuous dialogue between regulators and stakeholders in safeguarding public health without undermining economic livelihoods.

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