Akwa Ibom Assembly asks Gov Eno to set up nutrition, food security committee

The member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Mr Moses Essien, has urged Governor Umo Eno to set up the Committee on Nutrition and Food Security in the state in compliance with Presidential Programme on Nutrition 774 Initiative.

Addressing journalists in Uyo on Thursday, the lawmaker said the committee as envisioned by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, would be inaugurated across the 36 states to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition, especially at the rural level.

He explained that the committee is a creation of the House of Representatives and all issues bothering on nutrition and food security is domiciled in the Office of the Vice President, urging the governor
to constitute the Akwa Ibom committee as soon as possible.

He said, “This is farming season and with the rain setting in, we must make adequate and effective use of the season through farming for the purpose of having food to feed our teeming population.

“Let me use this medium to urge His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State to convene and inaugurate the committee in the state and charged them to action.”

The lawmaker also said the State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security would interface with relevant MDAs for official inauguration of the Local Government House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security.

He said the policy would enable the legislature to check if disbursements are properly utilized and to monitor the Standard Operating Procedures by ensuring that what is done at the federal level is replicated at both state and local levels.

“The councillors represent wards in the Local Government Legislative Council and this shows the level of commitment in Nutrition 774 Standard Operating Procedures in fighting against food insecurity and malnutrition by involving
the grass root commanders,” he said