From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has said it is committed to harmonising relevant legislations and policies as part of concerted efforts to tackle food insecurity in the country.
The Chairman, House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Chike Okafor, stated this, while speaking at a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
Okafor explained that the House, in line with its commitment to food security, has concluded plans to hold a Summit on Nutrition and Food Security as part of its open week, beginning on July 8.
The lawmaker noted that “despite decades of national policies and sectoral programmes aimed at improving nutrition and food systems, Nigeria continues to grapple with alarming rates of malnutrition and food insecurity.
“Children under the age of 5, pregnant and nursing mothers, and vulnerable populations in rural areas bear the brunt of this crisis. This situation is exacerbated by factors such as climate change and environmental degradation, persistent insecurity across food-producing regions, high inflation and cost of living, and inadequate infrastructure for food storage, processing, and distribution.”
Consequently, Okafor stated that the summit is intended “to harmonise legislative, policy, and programmatic responses to nutrition and food security challenges across all tiers of government,” as well as examining innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms for nutrition.
Furthermore, he explained that the summit will also “formulate strategies for building resilient and inclusive food systems, particularly in the face of climate shocks, economic disruptions, and insecurity, among others.
“This summit reflects the resolve of the House of Representatives, 10th Assembly, to lead from the front in addressing one of Nigeria’s most pressing human development challenges.”
The lawmaker, while calling on development partners “to align their technical and financial support with nationally determined legislative frameworks”, implored the private sector to invest in nutrition-orientated innovations and interventions.