A’Ibom assembly urges partnership to tackle malnutrition, food shortage

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for stakeholders’ support towards tackling malnutrition and food shortage in the state.

The Chairman, Mr Moses Essien, made the call at a meeting with representatives of ministries and departments of Akwa Ibom Government in Uyo on Thursday.

Essien noted that relevant ministries, departments and agencies in the state should key into the Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno, PhD efforts to combat malnutrition and food insecurity.

“The essence of this meeting is to seek a robust collaboration with your ministries and agencies to rigorously combat the challenges of malnutrition and food insecurity.

“As a committee, we are worried by the result of a recent research which revealed that many children in the country are faced with malnutrition,” he said.

The lawmaker, representing Ibiono Ibom in the state assembly, said the situation required the commitment of every stakeholder.

“We are all aware of the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 Initiative, it is aimed at tackling food insecurity and malnutrition,” he noted.

According to him, the initiative had standard operating procedures for federal, state and local governments nationwide.

“It aims to involve all the 774 local government councils in Nigeria to fight against food insecurity and malnutrition.

“The procedures involve programme intervention, monitoring, evaluation, implementation, coordination and collaboration with stakeholders,” Essien said.

The lawmaker revealed that the Akwa Ibom budget for 2025 made provisions for the implementation of the policy, adding, “the budget will help to reduce malnutrition in the state.

“At the assembly level, we shall soon organise workshops, and inaugurate local government committees,” he said.

Dr Patrick Eshiet, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, said that the Eno-led government had remained committed to improving the wellbeing of Akwa Ibom people.

Eshiet added that government ministries and agencies were willing to work with the committee in the project of tackling malnutrition and food insecurity in the state.