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 in Nigeria following extensive debate among lawmakers over its potential impact on public health, existing regulatory frameworks and rural livelihoods.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by the member representing Ehime/Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, Chike Okafor, was presented for second reading during plenary but was deferred after members raised concerns over its provisions and the inadequate circulation of copies of the bill.
Leading the debate, Okafor said the bill was designed to address growing public health risks associated with the widespread consumption of unbranded and unfortified cooking oils across the country.
He said available statistics indicated that about 67 per cent of Nigerians consume unbranded edible oils, while only 31 per cent of edible oils circulating in the country are fortified.
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