News

Rising Crisis Of Malnutrition, Food Insecurity Threat To Economic Stability – Speaker Abass

Published

1 hour ago

October 31, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has said Nigeria is challenged with an increasing crisis of malnutrition and food insecurity which poses a serious threat to the well-being of its citizens, the resilience of its economy, and stability of its communities.

The Speaker stated this at the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for Summit on Nutrition and Food Insecurity in Abuja on Thursday.

Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Speaker Abbas said these challenges, though not unique to Nigeria, “strike at the heart of our nation’s development, leaving a profound impact on health, education, and productivity”.

He regretted that lack of proper nutrition during the critical stages of growth stunts physical and cognitive development, hence the need for legislative action to address the critical issues of malnutrition and food security.

According to him, the National Summit will provide a vital forum to raise awareness, pool resources, and establish actionable goals for the future.

Abass who further reiterated the commitment of the House in supporting the committee where necessary for success; urged members to fulfil their mandate and ensure collaboration with the State Houses of Assembly, in line with the National Legislative Network.

He said, “It is with immense pride and a profound sense of duty that I join you today to witness the inauguration of the Local Organizing Committee for the National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security. This marks a historic moment for the National Assembly, as we unite for the first time at this level to address the critical issues of malnutrition and food security through legislative action.

“Nigeria faces a mounting crisis of malnutrition and food insecurity that poses a serious threat to the well-being of its citizens, the resilience of its economy, and the stability of its communities. Today, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in sub- Saharan Africa, affecting children, adolescents, and adults alike. It’s a crisis that requires both immediate action and sustainable, long-term solutions.

“Malnutrition, in particular, has devastating effects on the most vulnerable members of our society-children. Lack of proper nutrition during the critical stages of growth stunts physical and cognitive development, setting a trajectory of reduced academic achievement, lower earning potential, and increased susceptibility to health issues. For adults, malnutrition reduces the productivity and overall health of our workforce, weakening our ability to compete in the global economy.

“The need for this National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security has never been more urgent. This organizing committee is tasked with bringing the summit to fruition by coordinating efforts across ministries, states, and engaging both public and private sectors. Its mission is to create a platform for legislators, experts, and community leaders to collaborate, share insights, and drive collective action to address the root causes of our nutrition and food security challenges.

“Your commitment will be instrumental in addressing the nation’s pressing nutrition and food security challenges and the National Summit will hopefully address current shortages and associated risks, with the goal of formulating sustainable, long-term solutions”.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Rep. Chike Okafor, highlighted the urgency and scale of Nigeria’s nutritional challenges and outlined the critical role the LOC will play in organizing a successful summit to address these issues.

He emphasized the gravity of malnutrition in Nigeria, and noted that recent data indicates a 51 percent increase in severe malnutrition cases among children in Northern states.

“This is not merely a statistic; it embodies a humanitarian crisis that demands our immediate attention and concerted action,” he stated.

Rep. Okafor also referenced natural disasters, including devastating floods in Adamawa, Maiduguri, and Jigawa among others states which have disrupted food supplies and exacerbated food insecurity across the country.

He emphasised that the summit will be an essential platform for developing strategies and policies to tackle the twin challenges of malnutrition and food insecurity.

He described the LOC as the cornerstone of these efforts, emphasizing that “the committee’s task will be to determine the most convenient date and location for the summit, enabling stakeholders within the nutrition and food ecosystem to come together and forge a way forward”.

News

Reps Move To End Gridlock On Suleja-Lambata-Bida Highway

Published

60 mins ago

October 31, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has as a matter of urgency called on the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to deploy personnel and resources to complement the efforts of Niger State Government which has so far constituted a Task Force to alleviate the situation and restore free flow of traffic on the Suleja-Lambata-Bida Highway.

The House also direct the Ministry of Works to conduct an emergency assessment of the condition of the road, engage the contractor handling the project to ascertain reasons for delay in execution in a bid to proffer long-term solutions to prevent future occurrences.

The lawmakers further ordered the Ministry of Works to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including Niger State Government, Security Agencies, and Transport Unions to ensure sustained effective traffic management.

These resolutions was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the “URGENT NEED TO ADDRESS THE GRIDLOCK ON THE SULEJA-LAMBATA-BIDA HIGHWAY IN NIGER STATE THAT CPULD LEAD TO LOSS OF LIVES AND BREAKDOWN OF LAW AND ORDER”, sponsored by Rep. Saidu Musa Abdullahi and nine other lawmakers on Thursday at plenary.

The House noted that for the past six days, an unprecedented 18-kilometer gridlock between Lambata and Suleja has crippled the flow of traffic on Suleja-Lambata-Bida highway in Niger State, holding vehicles – tankers, lorries, trucks, and trailers – and motorists hostage;

The motion reads: “Also notes that this road is one of the busiest and most critical federal highways in the nation connecting and facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services, including essential and perishable items between Northern and Western States,

“Informed that the gridlock is caused by some major potholes along Maje to Dikko Junction, a key artery to the nation’s capital city, Abuja.

“Further informed that in light of this situation, small vehicles on emergency journeys have been compelled to take alternative bushy routes via Izom to Suleja; a route fraught with security threats;

“Worried that the current situation has resulted in huge losses in valuable man-hours, impacted negatively on perishable goods especially Agricultural produce posing severe implications on the economy of the nation and has also heightened the risk of accidents and has made the area prone to criminal activities, thereby compromising the safety of commuters and residents alike.

“Also worried that road users have been subjected to hunger, poor health condition and untold hardship due to their inability to access quality food, healthcare and transport themselves and goods effectively”.

The lawmakers expressed worries that reports from credible sources indicated that a corpse was discovered abandoned along this alternative route yesterday, and this poses a threat.

“Also disturbed that the ugly situation poses a serious threat to national security and the well-being of Nigerian citizens;

“Acknowledged that the Federal Government awarded the contract for the reconstruction and dualization of the first phase of this vital road since 2010 and the second phase in 2015 but even efforts to provide alternative funding through the Presidential Tax Credit Scheme has not yielded the desired result as the pace of work has been alarmingly slow”, Abdullahi noted.

The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandate its Committees on Works and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

News

EU, Germany invest €17.9 million to boost renewable energy in Nigeria

Published

6 hours ago

October 31, 2024

Austin Ojomah

* 154,000 Nigerians to have access to power

The European Union (EU) and the German Government, have announced a €17.9milion investment on renewable energy, energy efficiency and rural electrification in Nigeria,

The funding cane on Thursday at the official launching of the the third phase of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), geared towards
boosting private sector investments in clean, efficient, and reliable energy solutions across the country.

Naijablitznews recalls that the NESP was first launched in 2013, as a technical support programme co-funded by the EU and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The programme is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in collaboration with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Power (FMP) to build an accessible and sustainable energy landscape in Nigeria.

Under the third phase ( NESP3), 154,000 people are expected to have new or improved access to electricity while 30,000 people will have access to Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) for clean cooking, among others.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman, who flagged off the activities marking the commencement of NESP3 in Abuja, said that the programme would build on the achievements of NESP II by attracting more investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as support towards the objectives of Nigeria’s Electricity Act 2013.

Mamman lauded the EU and German government for their support to Nigeria especially for ensuring energy security in the most affordable and sustainable manner.

Head of Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Inga Stefanowicz, stressed the EU’s dedication to Nigeria’s energy security. “A cleaner energy future requires commitment from all stakeholders, this new phase continues to support renewable growth and the development of innovative models, like electricity franchising, that will bolster reliable power for beneficiaries,” she said.

German Deputy Ambassador, Johannes Lehne, reaffirmed Germany’s support, and outlined the essential role of renewable technologies in Nigeria’s energy transition.

He noted that investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency are key to diversifying Nigeria’s energy mix and advancing decarbonisation goals outlined in the Energy Transition Plan (ETP).

Head of NESP, Duke Benjamin, also stressed that collaboration with public and private stakeholders will be critical in achieving the programme goals.

“The 3rd phase aims to bring sustainable energy solutions to rural communities, healthcare facilities, and businesses, ensuring energy access that drives growth and improves quality of life in Nigeria,” he stated.

News

Reps Urge FG to Design Model For Local Refiners In Petroleum Production

Published

7 hours ago

October 31, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to develope a blueprint to allow indigenous refiners in the nation’s petroleum production value chain.

This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion on the “Need to reform and regulate Nigerian petroleum production activities to integrate artisanal refiners in the production value chain”, by the Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. George Ozodinobi, on Thursday at plenary.

Debating the motion, Rep. Ozodinobi highlighted that constitutionally, it is important to harness the nation’s resources to increase prosperity.

According to him, lives and revenues have been lost due to government’s inability to recognise, regulate, and control artisanal refining of petroleum products, a practice which he said has been prevalent in the Niger Delta region for decades.

He further noted that in 2016, the Federal Government proposed the integration of artisanal refiners into mainstream operations in the oil and gas sector to promote the inclusion of more local content in the industry and advance the use of home-grown technology in the refining of petroleum products in the region.

Reo. Ozodinobi stated that after seven decades of massive devastation and environmental degradation of the Niger Delta with its ecosystem, policymakers are still oblivious to the crucial need to encourage artisanal refining and lay a foundation for the local technology that will salvage Nigeria from its energy poverty.

He lamented the stigmatization of indigenous artisanal refiners as ‘oil thieves’ stressing that

“The deployment of the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to destroy artisanal refineries in an unprofessional manner further degrade the environment which provides the energy needs of communities in the Niger Delta.”

“This neglect of local refiners according has left Nigeria with four moribund refineries for decades, a globally rated exporter of crude oil and chronic importer of finished petroleum products with a litany of woes as confirmed by the ongoing fuel crisis and validated by the alleged conspiracy against the Dangote Refinery”, he said.

He further urged Nigeria to be committed to the promotion of indigenous technology in line with the examples laid by advanced nations of the world including Japan, the United States of America, and China, among others.

The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu who presided over the plenary, urged the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to study and articulate a regulatory legal framework to integrate artisanal refiners into the formal crude oil production value chain.

The House, unanimously adopted the motion when put to a voice vote and mandated its Committees on Petroleum Resources-Downstream, Upstream, and Midstream as well as Local Content to ensure compliance and report within four weeks for further legislative action.