Lawmakers put on hold legislation aiming to prohibit plain, nutrient-deficient cooking oils

n n

By Gift Chapi Odekina, Abuja

n

The House of Representatives on Wednesday stepped down a bill seeking to prohibit the production, importation, distribution, sale and consumption of unbranded and unfortified edible oils after lawmakers expressed divergent views over its implications.

n

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Rep. Chike Okafor, representing Ehime/Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, was listed for second reading but was deferred following concerns raised by members, including complaints that copies of the bill had not been circulated to all lawmakers.

n

Leading the debate, Okafor said the bill was aimed at addressing the public health risks associated with the widespread consumption of unbranded and unfortified cooking oils in Nigeria.

n

He said about 67 per cent of Nigerians consume unbranded edible oils, while only 31 per cent of edible oils available in the country are fortified.

n

Citing the World Health Organisation (WHO), Okafor said food fortification remained “a proven, cost-effective strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve public health.”

n

He explained that the bill seeks to prohibit the production, importation, distribution and sale of unbranded and unfortified edible oils, while encouraging collaboration among research institutions, universities and state ministries to improve seedlings and establish cooking oil processing mills through public-private partnerships.

n

The lawmaker added that the proposed legislation also prescribes penalties, including prison terms for offenders, while providing a transition period for producers and marketers to comply with the new requirements.

n

“This is a matter of life and death. It is a call to protect the health of Nigerians,” he said.

n

However, some lawmakers opposed the bill, arguing that it could adversely affect thousands of small-scale palm oil producers and duplicate the responsibilities of existing regulatory agencies.

n

Rep. Paschal Agbodike, representing Ihiala Federal Constituency of Anambra State, warned that the legislation could undermine the livelihoods of rural communities that depend on local palm oil production.

n

“This bill is not okay. Many of my people are into the local production of palm oil. We must be careful about the laws we make because the livelihoods of people in rural areas are very important,” he said.

n

Also opposing the bill, Rep. Gaza Gbefwi, representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State, argued that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) already has the statutory responsibility to regulate edible oils and other food products.

n

“I do not think we need to over-legislate. Instead, we should strengthen existing laws and oversight. We already have NAFDAC and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. If there are gaps in their enabling Acts, we can amend them,” he said.

n

Rep. Wale Raji, representing Epe Federal Constituency of Lagos State, shared a similar view, saying NAFDAC’s existing mandate already covers the objectives of the proposed bill.

n

Backing the legislation, however, Rep. Sada Soli, representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency of Katsina State, argued that the bill would complement rather than duplicate existing regulatory efforts.

n

“The bill is mindful of NAFDAC. This legislation is trying to improve the existing framework and is not harmful. It is not against local palm oil production,” he said.

n

During the debate, Rep. Billy Osawaru, representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency of Edo State, noted that many lawmakers had not received copies of the bill, making it difficult to make informed contributions.

n

In response, Okafor appealed to the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, to step down the bill to allow wider circulation of copies and further consultations with stakeholders.

n

Kalu granted the request and deferred further consideration of the bill to a later legislative date.

n

The proposed legislation comes amid renewed concerns over food safety and nutrition in Nigeria. Although mandatory food fortification programmes already exist under the supervision of NAFDAC and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the continued circulation of unbranded and informally processed edible oils has prompted calls for stronger enforcement of existing regulations.

n n