From Ndubuisi Orji and Kemi Yesufu, Abuja
The House of Representatives has urged the executive arm of government to develop a sustainable food policy that will guarantee food security in the country. The House also mandated the executive arm of government to submit the policy to its Committee on Agricultural Products and Services .
The House resolved, yesterday, following a motion on matter of urgent public importance, moved by the Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon Emmanuel Orker-Jev “on the need to address food insecurity in Nigeria.” Leading the debate, Orker-Jev expressed worry over the spate of food insecurity in the country and noted that Nigeria depends on importation to feed her teeming population.
In his contribution, House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila said it is imperative to move agriculture from the concurrent legislative list to the residual list, so that agriculture would be solely a state affair.
Before voting on the motion, Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun, who presided at plenary, urged his colleagues to also express interest in farming. Lasun urged members to try and cultivate 50 acres of land in the next one year and said that way, government will know the Legislature is committed to addressing the issue of food security in the country.