The Ogun Alternate Medicine Board on Thursday, said it has commenced the screening and orientation of no fewer than 600 liquor and herbage vendors across the state.
This, it said, is to checkmate the activities of the vendors and ensure the wellbeing of its citizens.
The Chairman of the Board, Mr Balogun Olaleye, said at sensitisation workshop that the government planned to certify all liquor and herbage vendors and encourage them to maintain the required standards.
While presenting the certificate to the first batch of qualified participants, under the auspices of Omidola Association of Liquor and Herbage at Obada Oko area of Abeokuta, Olaleye warned them against sharp practices.
He said that as key agents in the sub-sector that deal directly with human health the implications of the vendors activities for the health sector could not be underestimated.
He urged them to always engage in regular consultations with those that have more knowledge on the practice.
He also said that self-help training and re-training should be encouraged under the coordination of the state alternative medicine board to be more competent in their activities.
“Let me congratulate all of you that are here today as members of Omidola Liquor and Herbal Sellers’ Association in the State, especially those that have completed their registration and screening with the board.
“Let me assure you here that there are a lot of advantages attached to your registration and certification from both the government and the masses that you are dealing with.
“This certificate will not cover you to sell hard drugs or a dangerous mixture of alcoholic content or any other criminal act.
“It will however help you, within the range of what you are trained to do; the government will stand by you once you are still within your limits”, he said.
He advised unregistered vendors to register with the authorities, saying that immediately the ongoing registration was completed, the enforcement would commence.
Also speaking, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, commended the conduct of members of the association.
He advised them to do more because the government has recognised their operations.
Speaking earlier, the President of the association, Mrs Sherifat Akinsanya, appreciated the Gov. Dapo Abiodun and Olaleye for the initiative.
She promised that her members would stick to the lay down rules and regulations. (NAN)
