The House of Representatives on Thursday, June 23,
2016 ordered its Committee on National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA), Debts and Aids, IDPs and Disaster Preparedness to immediately
swing into action to investigate the allegation brought before it on the
misappropriation and diversion of fund meant to cater for food supplies
and other basic amenities for the Internally Displaced Persons in the
North-East region of Nigeria. Following a matter of urgent public
importance at the instance of Hon. Isa Jessie who informed that there
have been reports of diversion of funds donated by the International
Community to ameliorate the plight of the IDPs by the Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs) and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), the
investigation was ordered.
Hon. Jessie
commended the efforts of the military in restoring peace and normalcy to
the region, but regrets to note that the hardship, hunger and
mal-nutrition of the IDPs have worsened despite the huge donations made
by concerned bodies like the ICRC, United States Government, Dangote
Foundation, World Bank, UNDP and UN to mention a few. He stated that if
the development is not investigated and checked, the gamut of effort and
resources geared toward rehabilitating and reconstructing the region
would certainly end in futility.
In another
development, the House has mandated its Committees on Healthcare
Services, and Agricultural Production and Services to invite the Hon.
Minister of Agriculture to educate Nigerians on the health hazards
associated with genetically modified organisms and food supplements. The
Agric Minister is also expected to answer some questions on why the
Ministry issued permit to Monsanto Agriculture Nigeria Limited for the
release and placing on market some genetically modified items despite
American Cancer Society listing glyphosate among the herbicides linked
to Cancer.
The resolution came on the heels of a
motion moved by Hon. Chukwukere A. Ikechuckwu who expressed worry that
genetically modified organisms and food supplements have started to gain
their ways into our diets, noting that the development raises doubt
regarding their safety. He informed that studies have shown that the
sort of food have the potential of toxically affecting several organs
and systems of the human body and may cause some toxic effects such as
hepatic, pancreatic, renal or reproductive effects. He further asserted
that the fact that the said supplements do not pass through medical or
professional prescription makes it more worrisome.
The
House also at the instance of a motion moved by Hon. Babajimi Benson
resolved to urge the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to ensure
significant mobilization of resources to equip and make functional all
Youth Centres in the country while ensuring their spread. The resolution
added that Committees on Youth Development and Poverty Alleviation
should conduct an investigation into the activities and funding of the
Centres and report back to the House within 8 weeks for further
legislative action.
The House of Representatives has however adjourned sitting for the Ramadan break to resume on July 12, 2016.
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