Bauchi Assembly advances Food Safety Bill
By Rabiu Ishaq Muhammad
The Bauchi State House of Assembly has advanced a bill seeking to regulate food hygiene, preservation and the safety of perishable agricultural produce and meat products, passing it through the first and second readings.
The bill, sponsored by the member representing Jama’are Constituency, Hon. Mubarak Haruna, is aimed at strengthening food safety standards and protecting residents against diseases caused by unhygienic food handling and processing.
Leading the debate during plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Jamilu Umaru Dahiru, the sponsor called on members to support the proposed legislation, saying it would address public health challenges associated with unsafe food practices.
He explained that the bill seeks to eliminate unhygienic practices throughout the agricultural supply chain, from farms to consumers, and prevent foodborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
The proposed law also seeks to enforce sanitation standards in public and private markets, abattoirs and meat processing facilities across the state.
Its provisions cover the handling and transportation of perishable food items, regulation of abattoirs and meat processing facilities, as well as enforcement measures, offences and penalties for violations.
Contributing to the debate, the member representing Kirfi Constituency, Barrister Habibu Umar, commended the sponsor, noting that effective implementation of the law could improve public health outcomes in the state.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Jamilu Umaru Dahiru, also welcomed the initiative and assured members that the House would ensure proper consideration of the proposed legislation.
The bill subsequently scaled the first and second readings following unanimous support from members.
Hon. Jamilu Umaru Dahiru then referred the bill to the House Joint Committee on Health and Environment for further scrutiny, directing it to report back to the House within four weeks.
