A bill for an act to provide for the establishment of the Nigeria Pesticide Council passed the second reading at the House of Representatives.
The bill when passed will empower and enable the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to control the importation, selling, and usage of pesticides in the country.
Leading debate, sponsor of the bill Muntari Muhammad Dandutse from Katsina State, noted that the bill will also ensure quality and environmentally friendly products as well as promote food security in the country.
Muntari stated that “The Bill seeks to boost yield in the agricultural sector of the Nigerian economy, to ensure plant protection from the lack of pesticides or the sale of corrupted ones harmful to food and cash crops, capable of causing harmful diseases to consumers in Nigeria and causing damage to cash crops for export respectively.
The Bill also seeks to ensure food security and profitability from the agricultural sector of Nigeria for all living in Nigerian.”
While expressing concern over the rampant adulteration and faking of plant protection products, Dandutse said the bill will promote international trade in agricultural products and increase foreign exchange.
Dr. Nicholas Ossai a member from Delta State while contributing commended the spirit of the Bill as the pesticides mostly used are not only harmful to crops, but also the soil that produces the crop base.
“Sadly, most of the Nigerian cash crops are rejected internationally and the aim of the Bill seeks to correct this.” Dr. Osai stated.
Dr. Haruna Mshelia a member from Borno State praised the spirit of the bill as it seeks to put in place proper parameters to protect the lives and livelihood of Nigerians.
The bill was referred to the House committee on agriculture services for further legislative input.
Dominica Nwabufo
