*Requests claimants to the cure to approach relevant agencies
By Ralph Izopu
Worried over the negative comments by Nigerians on government’s decision to import herbal products from Madagascar for the management of Covid-19 cases here in the country, the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, yesterday denied that the Nigerian government did not ask for such herbal products.
He reiterated the call by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC’s) call on any Nigerian scientist and researcher who has developed herbal solutions or other products to come forward for validation.
Speaking in Abuja during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 pandemic, Mustapha vehemently denied that Nigeria requested for herbal products from Madagascar, insisting it was untrue.
According to him, “we did not ask for Madagascar herbal products as some people would want the public to believe.
It is not true that we requested for them. The truth is that they are meant for African Union and the consignments meant for West African countries were dropped off in Guinea Bissau and Nigeria has not even picked her consignment”.
He explained that government had only directed the Nigerian Ambassador to Guinea Bissau to secure Nigeria’s consignment, but did not explain what the Ambassador would do with the products after securing it.
He warned oeople who have made the PTF on Covid-19 pandemic secretariat “a dumping ground for their Covid-19 herbal drugs” to desist and approach the relevant government agencies to validate their products.
“I want to advise those who bring their products to PTF that they should know the right place to go. The protocol is to submit the products to appropriate agencies.
“There are several agencies and institutions set up by the Federal Government to undertake such duties as validation and approval for such products. Don’t bring them to the PTF.
“We will not takeover the primary responsibilities of the agencies set up by the Federal Government decades ago to carry out such duties”, the SGF stressed.
