The Gullele Branch Office has...

The Gullele Branch Office has signed a collaboration agreement with stakeholders regarding activities to be prioritized over the next 90 days.

February 17, 2019

The Gullele Branch Office of the Addis Ababa City Administration Food and Medicine Authority held a joint discussion and signed a collaboration agreement with stakeholders concerning tasks prioritized for execution over a 90-day period.

The collaboration aims to strengthen institutional coordination to prevent the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco products within the sub-city, halt violations of tobacco control laws, and ensure the safety and quality of food and health-related products that are otherwise exposed to sun and dust.

Participants in the discussion included the Gullele Sub-city Peace and Security Administration Office, the Regulation Enforcement Office, the Police Department, and the Trade Office. The institutions deliberated on working together—based on their respective mandates—to enhance the effectiveness of regulatory activities and strengthen law enforcement efforts. Ms. Mekdes Kassa, General Manager of the branch office, indicated that the 90-day intensive action plan includes regulatory oversight of retail shops, suppliers of food and health-related products, and other relevant establishments across the branch’s ten *woredas* (districts). She explained that, through collaboration with stakeholders, the initiative aims to ensure that tobacco products are sold in compliance with the law, enforce the prohibitions on the sale and use of tobacco products as stipulated in Proclamation No. 1112/2011, prevent the distribution of illicit tobacco products, and regulate prohibited tobacco advertising.

Furthermore, she stated that joint regulatory and law enforcement efforts will be carried out to ensure the safety and quality of packaged food, beverages, and other health-related products—specifically by taking appropriate corrective measures in locations where such products are exposed to sunlight and dust. The manager emphasized that the linkage document and joint discussions established among the institutions—focused on priority tasks to be executed over a 90-day period—are instrumental in safeguarding public health by strengthening operational coordination, enhancing the effectiveness of regulatory activities, and enforcing the law. Consequently, she urged every stakeholder to properly fulfill their assigned responsibilities and work in a coordinated manner to achieve the established goals.