The Food Hygiene Initiative of Nigeria (FHIN), a non governmental organization, NGO, has commended lawmakers for passage at second reading, of “A bill for an act to establish the Nigerian Food Safety and Hygiene Surveillance Corps.”
Dr. Nicholas Karimu, the Director General of the organisation, made the commendation with journalists shortly after an interactive meeting with State Directors in Abuja, on the development.
Dr Karimu said that the overall goal of food hygiene initiative was for the achievement of safety practices to prevent food related diseases in the country.
He expressed delight over the progress of the bill, noting that if finally passed, would go a long way to address poor food handling, especially at the rural communities.
He particularly thanked Rep. Aminu Mani for his selfless efforts in ensuring that the bill come to limelight and speedy passage.
”I really appreciate the efforts of the entire National Assembly for looking into this very important bill, especially in the aspect of food safety and hygiene in Nigeria.
”This bill is very important to this country and if finally passed will go a long way in making sure that we have an Agency that are in charge to regulate, supervise and oversee food safety hygiene practice.
”It will also regulate food safety in market places, eating places, training and issuing of license to persons participating in food handling business to prevent food and water borne diseases in the country,” he said.
According to him, the group is also saddled with the responsibility of educating consumers and food handlers, on the importance of food safety and hygiene, in line with the pronouncement by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
He explained that the organisation will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to shore up food and hygiene standard practices in the country.
He however, advised food hygiene officers to represent the organisation positively and be good ambassadors of food safety practices in the country.
He also revealed that the organization was currently recruiting officers in all the 36 states of the federation for training to become food hygiene officers, adding that recruitment forms can be picked at the head office at Nyanya Shopping Plaza and branch offices at the States.
The bill, which passed through second reading on July 23, 2020, was sponsored by Rep. Mani.
