JONAS EZIEKE, Abuja
The proposed amendment to the National Sugar Development Council Act LFN 2004 may suffer some hiccups as the major stakeholders in the industry, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and some other stakeholders have faulted some sections of the proposed law.
This happened as the Speaker House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has called for increased investment in the sugar industry for enhanced economic growth and prosperity.
The House Committee on Industry had held a one day public hearing on A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Sugar Development Council Act Cap N78 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2024 to provide for the Functions, Powers of the Council and the Payment of All Monies Received by the Council into the Federation Account in Accordance with Section 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) and for Related Matters.
In opening remarks, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon.Tajudeen Abass said that the proposed amendments aim to clarify and enhance the functions and powers of the National Sugar Development Council, ensure transparency in its financial operations, and align its activities with the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said that the amendment bill embodies the spirit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes revitalization, good governance and transparency.
He called for a course that promises prudent management of resources in the National Sugar Development Council, adding that in doing this, we are contributing to the vision of the president for a prosperous and hopeful Nigeria
Speaking in a similar vein, Chairman of the House Committee Hon. Dr Enitan Dolapo Badru said that the Bill seeks to provide for the functions and powers of the Council and other financial dealings in the Council, among others.
He also said that the public hearing marks a significant step towards redefining our Sugar industry by providing an appropriate legal framework that would shape regulatory authorities and ensure they are strategically positioned to effectively relate with the operators in the sector.
However, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has picked holes in some of the sections of the proposed amendment to NSDC Act, saying that they would conflict and or overlap with the regulatory role of the agency.
Director-General DG of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Mrs Iba Edwards, Director of Food Safety in the agency, said that there are some sections of the amendment bill that will overlap with the agency’s statutory mandate as a regulatory agency.
The Committee Chairman assured that the input of all relevant stakeholders who submitted memoranda and made oral presentation would be adequately scrutinized before the passage of the amendment into law.
He also gave all the invited stakeholders a grace period of one more week to submit additional inputs into the proposals in the amendment bill to ensure a well-thought-out legislation is enacted by the House.
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