NAFDAC Destroys N13.3m Stockfish In Abia

A consignment of stockfish heads worth N13.3 million that was seized at Onne Seaport in Rivers, was recently destroyed in Aba by NAFDAC officials.

Mrs Oluremi Olarewaju, NAFDAC’s Deputy Director (Ports Inspection Directorate), disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Aba.

Olarewaju said that the 40-feet container-load of stockfish heads was imported from Norway by Harmatan Resources Nigeria Limited, Aba.  She said that during the container’s inspection, NAFDAC officials found that the stockfish heads were unwholesome.

“The consignment was immediately impounded by the agency and designated for destruction; we then made the importer to sign the consent for forfeiture of the product,’’ she said.

“The stockfish heads could have found its way into the market if not for the interception by the agency,’’ she added.  Olarewaju said that NAFDAC would issue a certificate of destruction to the owner of the product.

She attributed the delay in destroying the stockfish heads to the long processes of bringing out the container from the port and the difficulties encountered in getting a suitable site for its destruction in Rivers.  Olarewaju said that the agency resorted to using a site in Aba “where the importer has a warehouse’’.

Counsel to the importer, Mr David Okoso, explained that the product got spoilt because of the undue delay in remitting money to the suppliers by the banks.

Okoso said that after six months without getting the money, the suppliers suspected fraud and ordered the shipping company to suspend shipment.