The Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has stressed the importance of enacting new legislation to aid the drive to modernize agriculture in the country.
This, he said would turn the sector into a major foreign exchange earner for the country in the nearest future.
Dogara, said this while delivering an address at a two-day public hearing organised by the House Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions on Monday in Abuja.
The Speaker also stressed the need to ensure bills processed by the legislature were cost-sensitive and did not increase the financial burden of the nation through the multiplication of agencies.
The proliferation of agencies, according to him, is not conducive to the economic well-being of the nation as a new agency “comes with its complement of bureaucracy.
Instead, he advocated for the amendment of the functions and mandate of existing agencies, where possible.
The bills being considered by the committee include a Bill for an Act to Regulate the Profession of Agriculture and to make provision for the Establishment, Functions and Administration of Nigerian Institute of Agriculturists and for Other Related Matters.
(HB.838).
Also under cosiderarion is a Bill for Act to Repeal the Veterinary Surgeons Act. Cap. V3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for Other Related Matters (HB. 836).
The Speaker, therefore, urged the committee to ensure the bills were in accordance with legal, regulatory and economic goals set out for the agricultural sector through appropriate scrutiny.
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