By Chukwuka Ugokwe :
The Veterinary Council of Nigeria(VCN) through its Premises Registration Committee has sealed off four illegal Veterinary Clinics and Premises in the state.
The four affected premises include: Jofez, Apok Animal Clinic and Sindi Veterinary Ventures all located in Awka.
Mr Ifeanyi Obiwulu, the Leader of the Enforcement Team,Who was speaking during the commencement of the operation in Awka,said the premises were sealed for operating without Veterinary Doctors and registration with the Council.
“We are the Committee up to regulate veterinary premises to eliminate quakery because we are having high rate of impersonation by quacks in the state and nation and this has caused a lot of lives for animal and human health.
“We decided to wake up and say no to all these unprofessional of veterinary medicine.It is causing a lot of hazard and mayhem for the association”
Dr Obiwulu,who is the State Chairman, Nigeria Veterinary Medicine Association,noted that the clamp down will be extending to all the parts of the state including Ekwulobia,Nnewi,Ihiala and Onitsha.
While stating that eight months notice was given to the opertors before the enforcement,he said the operation was aimed at improving the quality of veterinary services in premises across the state.
In addition,Dr Obiwulu, pointed out that one person was arrested for breaking the Council’s Seal and obstructing the team from performing lawful duty.
He added that efforts would be made to strengthen its surveillance and enforcement activities statewide.
Contributing,a Member of the Veterinary Premises Registration Committee,Dr Victor Ughaerumba,,warned Operatiors of Clinics and Premises to ensure proper registration, employment of qualified Veterinary Doctors as well as ethical conduct to avoid crossing the path of the law.
” The essence of seeing that these premises are properly registered is to ensure that they properly regulated so that counterfeit drugs are not sold.We want to make sure that the people that are keeping these drugs are within the armbit of veterinary regulations”
According to him,the Committee’s activity is geared at streamlining the professional standard practice to promote safe animal products and medicine among registered and licensed premises.
Chukwuka Ugokwe is of the State Ministry of Information
