By Gift Chapi Odekina, Abuja
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 after lawmakers expressed divergent views over its implications.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Rep. Chike Okafor, representing Ehime/Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, was listed for second reading but was deferred following concerns raised by members, including complaints that copies of the bill had not been circulated to all lawmakers.
Leading the debate, Okafor said the bill was aimed at addressing the public health risks associated with the widespread consumption of unbranded and unfortified cooking oils in Nigeria.
He said about 67 per cent of Nigerians consume unbranded edible oils, while only 31 per cent of edible oils available in the country are fortified.
