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The Chairman of COPAN, Felix Oladunjoye, claimed NAFDAC’s proposed policy would stifle the already burdened non-oil export sector, particularly the cocoa processing industry and questioned the agency’s reach in issuing business certification in the cocoa industry.

“When you apply for NAFDAC’s certification, it takes three months to get your goods certified. NAFDAC is also not part of the bodies being recognised in the business of issuing certification as far as cocoa is concerned,” Oladunjoye said.

The NACCIMA DG, in a chat with our correspondent, sought a resolution to the disagreement between the agency and cocoa industry players.

According to Obadimu, NAFDAC needs to actively work to be perceived as a standard enforcement organisation and not a revenue-generating agency of government.

He stressed the need for more engagement, saying, “If they (cocoa processors) can engage NAFDAC, it will be more beneficial to both parties. So, NAFDAC can let them know, specifically, why they are coming into the space and reassure them that the intention is not to make more money from them but to help them make more money.

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