The House of Representatives has taken steps to promote safer agricultural practices by phasing out hazardous pesticides and encouraging the use of eco-friendly alternatives to protect crops and ensure food safety in Nigeria.
The lawmakers also urge the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to include the sum of (N350, 000, 000 00) Three Hundred and fifty million naira) In the 2026 budget, estimates are to commence the revival of moribund industries.
The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to immediately come up with a resuscitation plan through the Industrial Inspectorate Department of the Ministry for moribund industries across the six geo-political zones in the country.
These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on “Stoppage and Mitigation of Risks Associated with the Use of Hazardous Pesticides Across Nigeria“, moved by Mr Clement Jimbo, at plenary.
While leading the debate on the motion, Mr Jimbo noted that pesticides are used in agriculture to protect crops from pests and diseases, thereby ensuring food security.
However, the growing circulation of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in the country poses grave risks to human health, food safety, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity.
According to him, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory bodies classify highly hazardous pesticides as having high levels of acute or chronic hazards to health or the environment, even when used as instructed.
Over 50% of NAFDAC-registered pesticides are classified as HHPs, and close to 60% of them are already banned in other countries.
“Concerned that 70% of suicides in Nigeria involve the ingestion of Highly Hazardous Pesticides HHPs, such as Diclorvous (DDVP) in Sniper.
The indiscriminate importation, sale, and use of these hazardous chemicals expose farmers, consumers, water sources, pollinators, and the entire ecosystem to dangerous contamination, resulting in huge economic losses for Nigerian food exporters due to rejection at the ports of destination during inspection.
“Also concerned that reports indicate rising cases of pesticide poisoning, soil degradation, and food residue contamination due to unregulated use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Nigeria. Research shows that seven out of thirteen common pesticide active ingredients in Nigeria are cancerous.
In 2020, over 270 persons died in the Oyo Obi Community of Benue State as a result of Endosulfan in the community river,” the motion read.
He said that “the problem of industries folding up started long before the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is hoped that this administration will resuscitate the Moribund Manufacturing Industries in the Country.
“Further aware that the Federal and State Governments have continued to appeal to both local and international investors to invest in Nigeria, with conscious efforts to revive moribund industries within the country to stimulate the economy.
“Cognisant that the reviving of Industries like Oshogbo Steel Rolling Mill, Oshogbo Machine tools, Ceramic Industry, Umuahia, Abia State and others would boost the Nigerian economy, reduce the demand for foreign exchange and transform the economy from a consumptive to a productive one.
“Also cognizant that the country may not realise the benefits of industrialisation, including increased employment, economic growth and reduced insecurity unless urgent steps are taken to revive moribund industries,” he added.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated the Committees on Industry and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance and report within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
Victoria Ibanga