The Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, has explained that the national biosecurity policy was aimed at improving human health, agriculture and the environment.
The minister gave the explanation at a review of the draft policy to drive Nigeria’s biosecurity to safeguard human health, environment and the economy by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
The two-day event, which opened in Abuja, on Tuesday, was organised by NBMA in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Ikeazor said the policy would drive the institutionalisation of a harmonised and workable biosecurity system that would minimise the risks of biological threats to human, animal, and plant health.
“This collaborative approach is aimed at understanding the responsibilities of various sectors, sub national, MDAs, NGOs, communities and the individual.
“The success of this policy review will lead to the implementation of an integrated biosecurity approach at national and sub-national levels.
” This will require the use of this document as a clear framework that defines the roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders,” the minister explained.
Dr Rufus Ebegba, Director General, NBMA, called for the support of MDAs, NGOs, and other stakeholders, to work for the common good of the country, by minimising the risks posed by biological threats to human, animal, and plant health.
Ebegba said that one of the mandates of the agency was to ensure that infectious biological detectives were controlled, so as to have a healthy human system.
Dr Walter Kazadi, the WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, said his organisation would continue to support Nigeria in the development of its biosecurity policy document.
In reviewing the draft policy, he urged NBMA to take note of the benefits associated with biosecurity, which include improved public health, enhance international trade, good agricultural production and protection of the environment.
Source: NAN