LAWMAKERS MAKE CASE FOR POULTRY FARMERS, TASK CUSTOMS SERVICE TO ENFORCE IMPORTATION BAN.
Members of the House of Representatives have described the huge amount of money spent on importation of poultry products into the country as economic sabotage and charged relevant institutions of government including the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to be more vigilant and ensure that banned poultry products do not find their way into the country.
The relevant agencies alongside the National Orientation Agency (NOA) were further tasked to be alive to its mandate and conduct raids of warehouses, stores, markets as well as other points of distribution and sales of imported or smuggled poultry products for confiscation and destruction.
The charge came on the heels of a motion moved on the floor of the House by Hon. Abubakar Amuda-Kannike during plenary on Wednesday 7th, October 2015. He exposed that, the country loses about 1 million jobs and not less than N600bn annually as a result of poultry products’ importation. He reiterated that the health hazards posed by consumption of the poultry products are enormous ranging from renal and liver failure to several digestive and intestinal health issues due to their method of preservation which he informed involve the use of high levels of formalin and heavy metals that are toxic to vital organs of the body.
Hon. Amuda-Kannike(Ilorin South/East, Kwara State) urged the Federal Ministry of Information, NAFDAC and NOA to lead campaigns that will expose the dangers of consuming these contraband products.
The Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor (Isoko North/South, Delta State) and other members who lent their voices in support of the motion added that good incentives be given to farmers in the poultry industry to encourage them embark on full scale production. Adding that if the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) includes poultry farmers in the current scheme of agricultural agenda, the quality of local livestock production will be greatly improved.
Moreover, the relevant agencies were also urged to check the activities of middle-men in livestock business as well as conduct a regular supervision of the production of livestock in the country and ensure that it meets international standard.
Meanwhile, the Members have shown concern over the incessant gridlock on Karu/Nyanya/Mararaba road, especially in the face of the recent bomb blast in the axis and have urged the Federal Government to commence expansion work on all auxiliary routes into the Federal Capital Territory.
This position was aired following a motion moved by Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi (Keffi/Karu/Kokona, Nasarawa State). He drew the attention of the House to the inconveniences, car breakdown and other related problems that oftentimes result in avoidable accidents along the road.
The House consequently mandated its Committee on FCT, Works and Legislative Compliance when constituted to follow up and ensure the quick adoption of the prayers of the motion.