The Ministries of Industry, Trade, and Investment, along with Health and Social Welfare, joined forces to address irregularities in Nigeria’s food export system.
This collaboration also aims to unlock the healthcare value chain to support effective transformation efforts.
The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Pate, who paid a courtesy visit to her office.
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, also participated in the visit.
The meeting focused on resolving long-standing issues related to food export irregularities, healthcare value chain development, and other critical matters.
Dr. Pate emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges to align with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for national transformation.
“This meeting brings together two sectors that are not typically closely connected.
However, specific concerns have prompted this collaboration, including food export regulation, the role of NAFDAC in facilitating trade across borders, and unlocking the healthcare value chain,” Pate stated.
“These issues have persisted for some time, and we must seize this opportunity to address them collectively, he continued.”
He further stressed the need for determination and collaboration to achieve significant progress in these areas.
In her response, Dr. Oduwole highlighted the importance of addressing these critical issues, particularly unlocking the healthcare value chain.
She stated, “I was briefed about the draft policy on the manufacturing of medical devices such as syringes and needles in Nigeria.
This meeting allows us to identify concerns, resolutions, and areas requiring further deliberation.”
She also noted that these efforts align with President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, emphasizing the need for actionable steps to tackle the challenges.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the NAFDAC Director-General, urged Nigerians to adopt a more proactive mindset regarding the exportation of goods.
She stressed that regulatory agencies must ensure effective oversight to prevent the rejection of Nigerian exports in international markets.
Earlier, Mr. Temiloluwa Oluokun, Technical Aide to the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, outlined some of the lingering issues within the ministry.
He pointed out challenges such as the denomination of permit fees in foreign currency and called for a shift to local currency to shield exporters from exchange rate fluctuations.
He also emphasized the need to streamline timelines for processing certificates and enhance private sector participation.
“The recommendations are clear: revisit the export regulation for 2024 with extensive industry consultation to balance oversight with efficiency,” Oluokun added.
Additionally, Mr. Dafang Sule, Director of the Federal Produce Inspectorate Service, appealed to the health ministry for support in training officers on equipment usage to address pesticide residue issues in sesame seeds.
After extensive deliberations, both ministries agreed to establish a team tasked with addressing the discussed challenges.
The team will convene in the near future to finalize resolutions and ensure progress on these critical issues.
(NAN)
