By Salim Yunusa
The Nigerian Senate had on Wednesday passed a bill seeking to create the National Food Reserve Agency.
The approval followed after thorough consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who is the chairman of the Committee revealed that when established, the agency, would implement the overall National Food Reserve Policy to ensure a reliable supply of designated commodities in the country.
According to him, if the agency is established, food crises would be history especially during the period of pandemic.
During the passage of the bill, senators were divided over the powers of the National Assembly to legislate on the establishment of the agency.
In his part, Senator Ajibola Basiru (APC, Osun) cited Section 4 of the 1999 constitution that the National Assembly have no power to legislate on the establishment of the food reserve agency.
“I believe we should go ahead to do our legislation. If anyone outside feels that the legislation is wrong, that person can go to the court so that the legislation is nullified and that is one thing with the practice of democracy,” Senate President Ahmad Lawan said.
He however said Nigerians are currently in need of this kind of legislation.
