Business Briefs
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AS part of its commitment towards ensuring food security, the Lagos State Government has decried the distribution of unwholesome foods and all forms of food poisoning in the State.
Speaking at a special Lecture/Induction and Awards presentation organised by the Institute of Security, Nigeria at the University of Lagos main Auditorium recently, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Food Security, Mr. Ganiyu Sanni Okanlawon said government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring wholesome processing and distribution of foods in the state.
The Special Adviser commended the Institute for organizing the Lecture, themed “Agro Terrorism and Biological Crime”, saying the topic is very apt and in line with the present administration’s resolve to promote food security and encourage investment in agriculture.
He said it is necessary to monitor the whole process of food handling and distribution until it gets to the final consumers, adding that the office of Food Security in the Ministry is working on a proposal to set up Food Marshal Corps that will be positioned in various markets across the state for effective monitoring.
Okanlawon said the Food Marshal Corps will be trained on food hygiene and handling, and will work together with market executives to inspect food that are brought into the market from different states.
He disclosed that the state government through the Ministry of Agriculture has over the years built a vibrant relationship with the farmers which have made it easy for government to respond fast to any reported issue on agro crises.
Citing examples of government response to the outbreak of Bird Flu in the state when thousands of birds were depopulated as control measures in some poultries at Ajah, Okanlawon said various reports has reached the office of food security on some processors that engage in the use of unhygienic chemical containing materials to process their products before taking them to the markets without considering the negative side effect of their acts on the consumers of such products.
He explained that some people use carbide to ripen plantains, banana and some other fruits while some processors use formalin to preserve chicken, turkey and beef before getting it to the markets.
The Special Adviser stated that government is very much aware of all the unhygienic and unwholesome practices, stressing that it will not relent in its efforts to curb all forms of food poisoning in the state.
While soliciting for the support of the residents in the drive to ensure that they buy safe and hygienic food products, Okanlawon implored Lagosians to expose and make formal report of any known food processor and handlers suspected of dirty and unwholesome practices.
Also speaking at the event, a renowned security expert and chairman of the occasion, Dr. Ona Ekhomu advised the State government to be more pro-active in the struggle against agro terrorism while also commending Governor Ambode for establishing the office of Food Security at the most appropriate time.
The high point of the event was the conferring of the Institute of Security Fellowship Award on the Special Adviser on Food Security, Mr Sanni Okanlawon and 18 Professors and 29 prominent Nigerians.
— Apr 11, 2016 @ 01:00 GMT
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