The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency has ordered the closure of a distribution warehouse located at Wilmer Street, Isheri-Ojodu Area of the State.
According to a statement by the state government, the closure was ordered after the General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo (Esq.), led an enforcement team to the distribution warehouse.
A video had surfaced online showing a middle-aged man selling hazardous and contaminated milk to unsuspecting members of the public at Ibidun Street, in the Ojuelegba area of the State.
According to Solebo, the man disclosed during an earlier interrogation by men of the Nigeria Police Force, Area C Police Station, Surulere, that the products were collected from the warehouse at Wilmer Street in Isheri, Berger.
The LASCOPA boss said the actions taken against the warehouse were meant to ensure that further sales of the hazardous and contaminated milk are stopped and withdrawn from circulation in order to protect residents from consuming milk that is harmful to their health.
He said the warehouse personnel distributing the unwholesome products to retailers flouted safety regulations of the food and beverage sector.
This is as he reiterated that the state government has zero tolerance for the sales of hazardous and expired products.
The LASCOPA boss was quoted as saying, “We, on our own part, will carry out a forensic investigation, through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, to confirm the actual state of those products, because mere opening the product, we discovered that they smell.
“I will want to warn the members of the public to ensure that they check whatever they are buying, check the product information such as the manufacture and expiry dates and all other relevant information about the product”.
The General Manager gave an assurance that the state government will not leave any stone unturned irrespective of whose ox is gored, just as LASCOPA will continue to promote consumers’ rights and ensure that Lagosians are protected at all times.
Solebo also called on members of the public to support the Agency in ridding Lagos of illegal activities by reporting traders or persons who sell fake, expired, and substandard products.
Meanwhile, LASCOPA had said that the warehouse located at Wilmer Street, Isheri Berger will remain closed until it gets the court order to seal up the premises according to the Agency’s law.
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