WHO Begins Audit of NAFDAC for Production of COVID-19 Vaccines

Udora Orizu

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye, has said the agency is being audited by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in order for Nigeria to commence the production of COVID-19 vaccines.

Adeyeye stated this yesterday at the maiden interaction with stakeholders organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations.

The DG, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of NAFDAC, Fori Tatama, said the agency takes the issues of health, safety and environment seriously.

Tatama said: “NAFDAC is currently in discussion with WHO. WHO is carrying out an audit of NAFDAC, which will enable the country to commence the manufacturing of vaccines. The programme started last Monday and will last till Friday.”

Meanwhile, at the session, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) said most accidents in gas stations and filling stations happen in unlicenced stations.

The Head, Safety and Environment of the DPR, Adeniyi Balogun, said: “What we have observed is that most of those accidents happen in stations that are not licenced by DPR. That is a big challenge for us. When we licence a company, we make sure that a rigorous process is done to make sure you are qualified to do that operation. But we are doing our best in collaborating with law enforcement agencies to make sure we dismantle any such stations not licenced. The effort is ongoing.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ibrahim Hamza, said the entrenchment of effective safety and health systems requires collective commitment and consultations among all stakeholders.