Wale JAGUN
The Lagos State House of Assembly has called for the ban of sales and consumption of “Sokundaye” and other hazardous liquid substances in the state.
The Speaker of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa , said that generally, the use of drugs cannot be eliminated , adding that even in the United States of America, they have not been able to stop the use of drugs but that they are regulated through laws.
He called for strict regulation of sales of drugs especially for children and under age who are now abusing the substances.
“The law has to be stronger when it comes to selling drugs to children.
“We should not allow children and teenagers to have access to it. What the products are being used for is different from what the producers intend them for.
“We have to stop primary school children from abusing the drugs.
“We should reach out to the necessary departments in the state Ministry of Health.
“The Ministries of Information, Health and Education should embark on awareness campaign on these products.
“We also call on market women and men as well as transport workers to embark on campaign against these products,” he said.
Hon. Akeem Shokunle, who moved the Motion for the ban of ‘Sokundaye’ during plenary on Tuesday, said that the substance is not a product but chemical.
Shokunle stated that the instruction on the bottle stated that it should not be inhaled.
“The chemical is used for embalment. They usually mix it with water, it would not make you high. They only say that it would clear your chest.
“It is not a regulated product and it is not being approved. It should be banned from the system,” he said.
“We also call on the Ministry of Education to embark on sensitization of the people of the state,” Shokunle said.
Shokunle explained that ‘Sokundaye’ affects the central nervous system when consumed.
According to him, the sales of the harmful substance which,according to him, weakens the body and poses threat to the health of consumers , is increasing in the state.
He added that many consumers of the substance do not know the content of the substance.
“Sokundaye is produced from chlorophyll. It has the capacity to destroy the central nervous system and this can destroys the kidney.
“It might be the cause of constant kidney problem in the state. The product should be banned”, he added.
The House then called on the Governor of the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu , Director-General of Lagos State Safety Commission, Ministries of Health and Education and Nation Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to campaign against the use of the drugs.
Lawmakers, who contributed to the matter, said that they were aware of the continuous sales of the product and others.
“We should call on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to call on the Lagos State Safety Commission to stop the production of ‘Sokundaye’ and other dangerous substances”, the House resolved.
Contributing to the issue, Hon. Tunde Braimoh , representing Kosofe 2 , said that 65% of the Nigerian population is made up of active youths and that the nation needs to protect them.
He added: “When the youths consume this kind of product , we will have an unhealthy workforce. We should just ban the product if it destroys the nervous system. The state Ministry of Health should empirically analyse the product.
Hon. Desmond Elliot, in his comments, said that ‘Sokundaye’ was just one of the many substances being abused in Lagos State.
He posited that banning the product was not the solution, stating that if it is banned , others would come up and that this would not solve the problem.
“We should orientate the masses on the danger in consuming these products”, said Desmond.
Hon. Rotimi Olowo , representing Somolu 1, in his comments, stressed that the future of Nigeria is at risk.
He opined that youths are hooked on tramadol on a daily basis, saying that there is need to look at the convergence of the youths that consume these products.
“We need to get the necessary agencies to see how this could be stopped”.
Also speaking, Hon. Rasheed Makinde , stated that the country is going through recession and that this had affected her economy, and social background.
“We see our youths engaging in illicit activities such as 419 and others.
“When they make money , they spend on these products. The families should do more for their children.
“The communal responsibilities of those days are no longer there.
“The National Agency For Food And Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and National Standard Organization (NSO) should investigate these products. Even our law enforcement agents take these drinks,” he said.
Also speaking, Hon. Mojisola Alli-Macaulay said that the state needs to address and orientate the people.
She stated that the state should look at the orientation of the young people in the state, which she said is bad.
“The way they behave encourage immorality.
“The law enforcement agents are also culpable. We need an agency that can re-orientate these young people.
“The issue of banning may not work, we should just change the orientation of the people,” she said.
