THE Ondo State Government has ordered the immediate ban on the sale and distribution of unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances, whether in sachets or bottles, across the state, following the death of about 30 people in Odigbo area of the state reportedly linked to the consumption of unverified alcohol.
A statement on Saturday, September 12, by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, said the decision became necessary to prevent further loss of lives and forestall the spread of the incident to other parts of the state.
Already, the statement said the state Ministry of Health had taken proactive steps to investigate the substance suspected to be responsible for the deaths, with its scientific officers deployed to the affected areas to conduct investigations and determine the exact substance(s) involved.
Ajanaku stated that Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and indeed, the state government were leaving no stone unturned in efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, protect the lives of our people and prevent further casualties.
Ajanaku urged residents of the state to stop purchasing or consuming unverified alcoholic drinks and other substances, particularly products in sachets or bottles that do not have the approval of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The government advised sellers and distributors to desist from purchasing, selling or making available for public consumption, any substance whose source, content or regulatory status cannot be verified, warning that anyone found violating the directive will face the full wrath of the law.
The government disclosed that it has mandated security agencies to swiftly swing into action against the distribution and sale of illegal and unapproved products across the state.
It charged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with the relevant authorities by reporting suspicious products and activities, saying the protection of lives and health of the people remained a collective responsibility.
