Overview

The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service Act 2018 establishes the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) as a corporate body with the primary objective of preventing the entry, establishment, and spread of exotic pests and diseases affecting plants, animals, and aquatic resources and their products into Nigeria. The Act also aims to promote sanitary and phytosanitary measures related to the import and export of agricultural products to minimize risks to agriculture, food safety, and the environment. The Act is structured into six parts. Part I establishes the Service and its Governing Board, detailing the composition of the Board, which includes a chairman, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Director-General of the Service, and a secretary appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister. Members serve a four-year term. Part II outlines the objectives of the Service, its structure, functions, and the powers of the Board. The Service is tasked with inspecting, regulating, and controlling imports and exports of agricultural products to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases. Part III covers the appointment of the Director-General, Secretary, and Legal Adviser. Part IV addresses financial provisions, including the Service's fund, expenditures, annual accounts and estimates, annual reports, and powers to accept gifts, borrow, enter into contracts, and acquire land. Part V includes miscellaneous provisions, such as the powers of authorized officers, offences, and penalties. Part VI deals with legal proceedings, including indemnity, execution of deeds, limitation of suits, service of documents, and interpretation. The Act also has Schedules with supplementary provisions. The document is the full text of the Act, including explanatory memorandum, arrangement of sections, and detailed sections.

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