House of Representatives Declares War on Rising Foodborne Diseases, Adopts Hon. Osawaru's Motion for Nationwide Surveillance

House of Representatives Declares War on Rising Foodborne Diseases, Adopts Hon. Osawaru's Motion for Nationwide Surveillance.

The House of Representatives has taken a decisive step toward addressing the growing threat of foodborne diseases in Nigeria, following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Chief Dr. Billy Osawaru, Member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency, Edo State.

Presenting the motion on the floor of the Green Chamber, Hon. Osawaru expressed deep concern over the alarming increase in illnesses and deaths linked to contaminated and unsafe food across the country. He noted that foodborne diseases have become a serious public health challenge, placing enormous pressure on Nigeria's healthcare system while endangering the lives and livelihoods of millions of citizens.

The federal lawmaker highlighted that unsafe food contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, and harmful chemicals continues to expose Nigerians to preventable diseases, leading to avoidable hospitalizations, long-term health complications, and loss of lives. He stressed that vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems, are particularly at risk.

Hon. Osawaru further drew attention to reports by the World Health Organization (WHO), which indicate that unsafe food causes hundreds of millions of illnesses and hundreds of thousands of deaths globally every year, with the African Region recording the highest burden of foodborne diseases per population. These alarming statistics, he noted, underscore the urgent need for Nigeria to strengthen its food safety systems and disease surveillance mechanisms.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with relevant regulatory agencies, to intensify nationwide surveillance, routine inspections of food production, distribution outlets, and public enlightenment campaigns on food safety and hygiene practices.

The House also emphasized the need for adequate funding to strengthen food safety monitoring systems, improve laboratory capacity, support disease surveillance, and enhance rapid-response mechanisms capable of detecting and containing foodborne disease outbreaks nationwide.

Hon. Billy Osawaru reaffirmed that protecting the health of Nigerians remains a collective responsibility and called on all stakeholders—including government agencies, food producers, vendors, and consumers—to uphold the highest standards of food safety. According to him, ensuring access to safe and healthy food is not only a public health necessity but also a fundamental requirement for national development, productivity, and sustainable economic growth.

The motion reflects the commitment of Hon. Billy Adesuwa Osawaru and the 10th House of Representatives to advancing policies that safeguard the lives and well-being of Nigerians through proactive legislation and effective public health interventions.

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Billy Media.