Nigeria’s Rivers State launches task force on food safety

NIGERIA – In response to the imperative of protecting residents from health hazards associated with contaminated food, the government of Rivers State has taken a decisive step by inaugurating a Task Force on Food Safety.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Victor Kii, emphasized the task force’s mandate to develop and implement robust strategies ensuring the highest standards of food safety across the state. The initiative aims to foster collaboration among stakeholders spanning from farmers to consumers.

Commissioner Kii, representing Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, formally inaugurated the task force during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Agriculture.

The task force is poised to address various critical aspects of food safety. This includes organizing public education programs to promote safe food handling practices, conducting thorough data collection to identify vulnerabilities in the food supply chain, and ensuring compliance with safety standards at abattoirs through veterinary inspections.

Special emphasis will be placed on preventing unauthorized processed meat from entering the sales chain, with monitoring activities extended to livestock markets and frozen food companies to preemptively address safety concerns.

Task force members, drawn from key ministries including Agriculture, Health, Environment, and Justice, as well as representatives from security agencies, reflect a collaborative approach to addressing food safety challenges.

Commissioner Kii expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for his leadership in establishing the task force.

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