In line with the vision of fostering a healthier and more resilient society where all citizens can access nutritious and sufficient food, Rivers State Government has inaugurated Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition (LGCFN).
During the inauguration, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Peter Medee noted that the essence was to implement Federal Government’s policy on food and nutrition in Rivers State stressing that the State government is responsible and accountable for strengthening the institutional frameworks that will enable delivery of this laudable programme from the Federal Government.
He enjoined the committee members to ensure that they deliver food that are quality enough to address the issues of malnutrition and increase the level of life expectancy of Rivers people.
On his part, the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Hon. Ezebunwo Ichemati stated that the event marked a pivotal turning point for all in the local government areas adding that it demonstrates a commitment to ensure that food and nutrition is achieved at the grassroot level.
He said it is the responsibility of the third tier of Government to address the root causes of malnutrition in the rural communities and lauded the Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for signing into law the 2 documents geared towards having access to nutritious food in the state.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Management Board, Prof. Green Innocent Kinikanwo, highlighted the importance of food and nutrition in the developmental strides of the state, noting that the domestication of the two documents and their signing into law shows the importance government attaches to food and nutrition.
Prof Kinikanwo who disclosed that RSPHCMB is aware of the issues of malnutrition in the rural places and is working asiduosly to prevent it identified children, pregnant women and the elderly as the vulnerable groups who suffer from malnutririon.
He expressed belief that with the inauguration of LGCFN all issues of malnutrition especially in the rural communities will be brought to fore and properly addressed.
Responding unbehalf of the local government chairmen, the Executive Chairman of Etche Local Government Council, Dr. Uzodinma Nwafor thanked Governor Fubara and the initiators of the programme and assured chairmen’s commitment to the reduction of malnutrition and promotion of food security in the State.
Earlier in her key note lecture, Prof Alice Nte tasked members of LGCFN on appropriate nutrition intervention at the various local government areas and asked them to ensure that people in the rural communities get optimal nutritional care.
She chronicled their mandates as providing necessary technical and professional assistance and support to the committee on food and nutrition programme implementation, ensuring adequate financial provision and timely release of allocated funds in Local Government Development plans.
Other responsibilities of the LGCFN include supporting the office of Vice Chairman in the maintenance of ongoing advocacy on food and nutrition issues, managing and maintaining database of nutrition activities, and coordinating nutrition programme implementation at the LGA level. It would be recalled that His Excellency generously signed State Policy on Food and Nutrition, and State Multisectoral Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition into law in July 2024 following which they became operational documents.
