Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has approved the establishment of a Task Force on Food Safety in the State.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr. Victor Kii, in a statement, said following the approval, his Ministry will begin field operations starting from Wednesday, the 27th of March, 2024 to Monday, the 15th of April, 2024.
Engr Kii stated that the operation will last 14 days as the team will undertake verification, validation, and registration of all poultry farmers, fish farmers, slaughterhouses, and frozen foods companies in the state.
“Therefore, all poultry farmers, fish farmers, slaughterhouses, and frozen foods companies within the State are invited to the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture for verification and validation of existing data and registration of new farmers, slaughterhouses, and fish farmers with the Ministry from Wednesday, the 27th of March, 2024 till Monday, the 15th April, 2024.
“This exercise aims to create a comprehensive database of all poultry farmers, fish farmers, slaughterhouses, and frozen foods companies operating within the State. This will enable the Ministry to establish effective monitoring and inspection procedures, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.
“By collecting accurate data, we can better identify areas that require improvement and take necessary actions to safeguard public health as well as assisting the farmers when necessary.”
Engr Kii informed that the exercise is free for 14 days with a certificate of registration and verification to be issued at the end of the exercise.
“Consequently, any farmer and or slaughterhouse that fails to register within the stipulated time will not be permitted to operate within the State as it implies that stipulated regulatory guidelines for operations to ensure health standards are intended to be breached.”
