The Minister of State Ministry of Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, has called for synergy among biosecurity stakeholders as they adopt the nation’s biosecurity policy for the protection of human health and the environment.
Ikeazor who was represented by Mallam Stanley Jonah, Director of Planning and Statistics in the ministry made the call on in Abuja at the two-day validation meeting of the national biosecurity policy and action plan.
She noted that the adopted document was an integration of biosafety strategies in the country, adding that the sovereignty of the nation must be put first.
She said that stakeholders were expected to play specific roles and work in synergy with each other in line with their respective mandates, to produce a clear aggregation and unified efforts to strengthen our national biosecurity system.
According to her, the document was expected to provide the framework for integration and harmonization of biosecurity strategies that would be implemented through One-Health Approach – Health, Agriculture and Environment.
The minister also stated that the document would help for the prevention, detection and rapid response to bio-threats, taking into consideration our national and international agreements, existing national laws, Conventions and guidelines in relation to biosecurity.
She added that the policy draft would onward be moved to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval.
“The resultant effect is to provide synergy amongst stakeholders involved in the biosecurity sector for effective and efficient operations of national biosecurity system aimed at minimizing the risks of bio-threats to humans, animals, plants and the environment.
“The world is witnessing a global rise in the number of emerging infectious diseases and invasive alien species which pose a significant challenge to biosecurity interventions worldwide.
“To address this, an interdisciplinary approach to biosecurity policy and research that enhances the interconnections between human, animal, plant, and environmental health to prevent and mitigate the impacts of these bio-threats is seen as the best way forward.
“In this regard, the present administration in its wisdom to foster the emergence of a National Policy and Strategy that encourages collaborative measures in addressing Biosecurity issues in Nigeria, assented to a bill amending the National Biosafety Management Act, 2015 to include “putting measures in place to ensure Biosecurity in Nigeria” .
Dr Rufus Ebegba, Director-General National Biosafety Management Agency, commended the efforts of all stakeholders and partners for their support the process of drafting the policy document.
”It is because they believe in Nigeria, knowing what we are doing is not just to protect only Nigeria but the globe as a whole.
” The issue of infectious organism has no boundary, COVID-19 that shook the world has broken barriers in the areas of environment and human health,” said the Director.
Egbeba stated that the agency is about six years old without it success can not be without partners support.
He added that the agency owe the Federal Government the responsibility to discharge its duty with dedication and service to the country and citizens.
Prof. Garba Sharubutu, the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Resource Council of Nigeria, assured NBMA of the council support saying, implementation of the law was critical as the country.
He also pledged that the new radio station of the council would be opened to the agency so as to promote content on biosafety, biosecurity for the Nigerian audience. (NAN)