The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), has raised concerns over the influx and usage of unregistered and counterfeit pesticides into the mainstream markets in the country.
Speaking to KNA in Mombasa, PCPB Coast Regional Manager Stanley Nganga said the Board is privy to unauthorized entry and clearance of containers bearing counterfeit pesticides through the Port of Mombasa, that bypass standard procedure and enter the market for consumption.
Nganga noted that in the last few weeks the Board had flagged out several consignments of unauthorized pesticide products, that made their way into the country and falsely declared, during the clearance process at various points of entry.
‘We have managed to intercept and gotten tip-offs of huge consignments, at various points of entry, including a 23,700kg container at Boss Freight CFS, that was shipped into the country from Ningbo, China and falsely declared and cleared, contrary to the laid down procedure,’ he said.
The Manager added that the incidents have promp
ted the Board to take stringent measures to enforce compliance and regulate the entry of authorized pesticides into the country.
He said a multi-agency approach that involves law enforcement agencies, will be employed to mitigate this problem.
‘The Board has forwarded a few cases to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) for investigations, including the clearance of unauthorized pesticides that were being held at Boss Freight CFS, containing 23,700kg of falsely declared cargo,’ revealed Nganga.
Senior Compliance and Enforcement Officer at PCPB, Karisa Mududu, gave a cautionary appeal to Kenyans, noting that it was paramount that only registered and authorized pesticides sold in licensed agro-vets and retailers, are safe for use.
Mududu said pesticides are hazardous and need extra precaution during handling, since they can cause major health risks in case they are mishandled, or are unfit for use.
He added that the Board is on high alert for pesticide product vendors, who do not comply with the
licensing and regularization procedures and risk the closure of their businesses.
‘All businesses dealing with pesticide trade in the country, should practice compliance as the Board has intensified efforts to ensure that there is strict adherence to the law,’ warned Mududu.
PCPB is a statutory organization of the Government, mandated to regulate the importation, exportation, manufacturing, distribution, transportation, sale, use and disposal of pest control products in the country.
The Board’s functions are guided by the Pest Control Products (PCP) Act Cap 346, Laws of Kenya.
Source: Kenya News Agency
WINDHOEK: The late President Hage Geingob’s temporary family spokesperson, local lawyer Sisa Namandje, has acknowledged the efforts of the medical team who attended to the president until his passing.
Recognising the medical team of four doctors at the late president’s residence in Windhoek on Sunday, Namandje said the family is exceptionally happy with what the medical team had been doing in the last weeks until Geingob’s passing.
Geingob, 82, passed away in Windhoek early Sunday morning due to complications from cancer.
‘We are exceptionally happy with what you have been doing in the last two weeks… I saw you work hard yesterday, we saw you trying to do everything you could do in your power, ability, and expertise,’ he said.
Namandje noted that the medical team had been attending to the president until his recent trip to the United States of America, where he had undergone medical treatment.
‘We will forever be indebted to you for the efforts you have been making. It has been a difficult period, you tr
avelled with the president, had a few hours with your families and you tried everything. But with every medical condition, there are only two ways,’ he noted.
Geingob returned to Namibia on Wednesday after receiving specialised cancer treatment in the United States. Geingob last month informed the nation that cancerous cells were detected in his body by his medical team.
The Presidency then on 24 January said Geingob travelled to the United States on invitation by leading scientists and medical professionals in Los Angeles to undergo novel therapy for cancerous cells.
Namandje further noted that while the government prepares Geingob’s State funeral arrangements, evening devotions will be held daily at 18h00 at the Geingob residence in Windhoek.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency