The Abia State Government has lamented that the activities of fake drugs and beverage producers are denting the image of the state.

This was as the government, through the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, warned such producers to desist from the act.

While briefing journalists on Monday after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, Kanu said the government and security agents would enforce action against fake drug merchants.

He said the state government was on the cusp of relocating the illegal Isigate market to Afara and further noted that part of the initiatives includes the construction of bus shelters within Umuahia, among others.

Kanu said, “In continuation of the infrastructural development agenda of the state, the state government is poised to embark on a number of urban renewal and beautification initiatives that are geared towards making Umuahia, the state capital, a smart city.

“The state government is on the cusp of relocating the illegal Isigate market to Afara. The idea is to decongest the city centre in Umuahia.

“Please, be informed that land for the new market has been completed and compensation duly paid to the land owners. At this point, the building of a perimeter fencing around the market is ongoing.

“As I said earlier, the relocation is geared towards decongesting Isigate and making way for the new bus terminal and other transport and beautification projects around that part of the capital city."

The decision is coming after the National Agency for Dood and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) sealed some markets in the state after impounding trucks loaded with expired drugs.

ASA