By Dele Ogbodo
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, has said the development of Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines through a national policy for Chemical and Nano technology will provide clear road map for responding to managing Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) incidents in the country as well as ensuring the country’s economic diversification and development.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Asanya, who was represented by the Director and Head of Department, Chemical Technology. Dr. MEJ Bassey, reinforced that the draft will provide clear and actionable guidelines for responding to managing CBRNE incidents.
The Permanent Secretary spoke at a 2 day stakeholders’ sensitization at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting, according the Permanent Secretary is aimed at harvesting stakeholders’ inputs into the draft implementation plans while developing SOPs and guidelines required to ensure effective implementation of the draft the national policy on chemical technology and national nanotechnology policy in line with the mandate of the Ministry and Presidential priority areas.
The high-level gathering had in attendance Directors from the Ministry and Heads of its Agencies and academia.
Asanye, recalled that the United Nations (UN) resolution 1540 (2004) applies to its all-member states including Nigeria, as it holistically covers nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery.
She said: “Nigeria was among the first countries in Africa to affirm commitment to resolution 1540, which aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means to delivery to non-State actors. Since submitting its first report to the 1540 Committee of the Security Council in October 2004, Nigeria took concrete steps towards enhancing national implementation.
Over the past years, legislation and enforcement measures were enacted in several sectors, including human and animal health, environmental protection and hazardous substances management, as well as customs and border controls.
According to her, the 2019 National Security Strategy of Nigeria recognizes that the proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons constitute a threat to domestic and international peace and security.
She said: “The Strategy therefore prioritizes the safe, secure and authorized use, storage, transport, and other related activities involving CBRN material in the country.
“In 2020, Nigeria also launched CBRN National Action Plan is an essential tool for government to detail and communicate national priorities across a range of CBRN risk mitigating actions; the plan is currently being reviewed.”
The Ministry, she said is committed to ensuring effective implementation of the national action plan on CBRNE and has developed the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy which has been cascaded into different novel sub sectors policies including draft national policy on chemical technology and national nanotechnology policy in determined bids to deliver its statutory mandate to promote national peace and economic prosperity.
The Head of Chemical department in his submission enjoined participants that their inputs into the draft is essential to building the ocean of security that Nigeria requires.
He acknowledged that the workshop is about reinforcing our shared mission and ensuring that implementation of the project across relevant MDAs.
The workshop resolved that a presentation of memoranda to seek for the National Council on Innovation, Science and Technology approval of the drafts National Policy on Chemical Technology and National Nanotechnology Policy alongside their respective implementation Plans and Standard Operating Procedures/Guidelines at the 2024 forthcoming National Council on Innovation, Science and Technology Meeting should be made.
Incorporation of CSOs/NGOs in the implementation of the National Action Plan on Chemical, Biological, Radiology and Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) Threat; Invitation of strategic stakeholders like Defence Headquarters Abuja (Army, Navy and Airforce), Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria-MAN (Chemical Section) for the forthcoming 2024 National Council on Innovation, Science and Technology Meeting, ONSA to expeditiously implement recommendations arising from its 2022 training for stakeholders on responding to the CBRNE emergencies .
Dignitaries in attendance included: Prof. J.M. Nwaedozie, Director from Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna; Prof. K.I. Omoniyi, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; Prof. Fabian Ezema, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Director, National Authority on Chemical and Biological Weapon Convention, represented by Dr. Jangaba Daniel, Assistant Chief Inspectorate of factory, National Authority on Chemical & Biological Weapon Convention, Representatives of the Director-General of RMRDC, SHESTCO and Engr. Dr. Patricks Oghuma, Special Assistant to the Minister, Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology.