By Mercy Onyenweli
The Edo state commissioner of Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare has assured the Special Monitoring Unit of Association of Livestock Managers and Food products of Nigeria of the state government support in the fight against food poisoning and Adulteration .
Hon Chris stated this when he played host to the leadership of the Association who paid him a Courtesy Visit in his office in Benin City.
He commended the association for championing the cause to end food poisoning and Adulteration in the State.
“The life of Edo people cannot be left in the hands of scrupulous traders who use harmful chemicals to preserve foods and ripen fruits. Ensure Ministry of Agriculture is fully involved in this. ”
” Before the inauguration of your officers, work with Ministry of Agriculture to call for a meeting where the relevant MDAs and stakeholders will be in attendance and we arrived at a resolution that would be helpful in the fight against food poisoning and Adulteration”
Speaking earlier, the National Secretary of Association of Livestock Managers and Food products of Nigeria, Stephen Edjeba appealed to the Commissioner to help the Association to facilitate the prosecution of culprits involved in food poisoning.
He noted that the Special Monitoring Unit is about to commence their surveillance across markets in the and local governments in the state and would need the full backing of the government to prosecute offenders who defied the directive to desist from food Adulteration and poisoning.
“As we speak, fufu is a secret killer in the State due to harmful substances that are used to ferment it. People are dying of kidney and liver diseases without knowing the cause, but I will shock you that some of these substances people consume without knowing are the secret killer”.
“The fruits we consumed are ripened with harmful chemicals that destroy the organs in our bodies. If we fail to do anything now, the hospitals will not be able to contain the number of people whose health is gradualling failing on a daily basis”.