FG ADVOCATES SOUND CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT.

FG ADVOCATES SOUND CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT.
Patrick Osadebamwen

Honourable Minister of Environment, Mr. John Odey has said that Sound Chemical Management by all users was essential to achieve sustainable development including the eradication of poverty.

He said the focal point of the federal government 7 – point agenda which seek to improve human health, sustainable envrionment and the elevation of the standard of living for Nigerians would also be better advance through adherence to the sound chemical management administration.

Odey said this while declaring Open the National Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, SAICM, Draft policy on Chemicals Management for adoption by relevant stake holders in Abuja
The minister who was represented by the permanent Secretary, Hajiya Safiya Mohammed noted that chemical usage has become common in economic activities and the domestic lives of Nigerians.

He pointed out that though chemicals have their importances in human lives and its environment it could pose serious threats to its users and the environment of its application, when they are not properly administered causing severe consequences either or both.

According to him, “We are all aware that the use of chemical has become widespread in economic activities and in domestic life. However, when chemicals are not properly managed, they put the ecosystem, human health and national economies at risk. Environmental and health impacts from the mismanagement of chemical and could manifest in increased disease burdens and health costs, reduced productivity, damaged to fisheries and watersheds as well as reduced agricultural outputs”.

He said chemical management was a global challenge which has attracted global response through a Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management SAICM as a global policy framework with a goal to ensure that by 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that significantly minimize adverse effects on the environment and human health.

The minister pointed out that following the endorsement of SAICM by the United Nations World Summit it recognized the imperative for a Quick Start Programme (QSP) Trust Fund to be established by the UNEP for the success of its implementation in developing countries.

Odey said Nigeria’s leadership role and its contribution to the progress at the regional and global level was recognized by the international community leading to its selection as one of the pilot countries for capacity building in chemical harzards communication through the implementation of the Globally Harmonised System for Classification & labeling GHS between 2005 and 2007.

He also noted that the country was also chosen as one of the few counries to receive funding for national project under SAICM Quick Start Programme Trust Fund in the first round of applications in 2006.

Odey said the objectives of the Nigerian project are to establish a stong institutional framework for SAICM implementation and strenghten national capacities and capabilities in both public and private sectors for sound management of chemicals.

In a twist of event, the adoption of the national policy on chemical management and signing of the memorandum os understanding for integrated management of Chemical was postponed as stake holders noted that further consultation was necessary before it would be adopted for regulation of chemical handling and utiliztion in the country.