Ninety two local and international organisations have endorsed the National Biosecurity Policy and Action Plan 202, aimed at protecting Nigerians and the environment from any threat arising from biological organisms.
The policy would serve experts and regulating agencies between the years 2022 and 2027 to protect Nigerian, its environment, ensure its security and protect its economy.
Minister of Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor said the adopted document was an integration of biosafety strategies in the country and must be used with the sovereignty of Nigeria as a priority.
“We must at all times put the Sovereignty of our dear Country first, by ensuring that rigorous risk-based screening systems for evaluating the intentional and unintentional introduction of bio-threats are instituted.
“This document is expected to provide the framework for integration and harmonization of biosecurity strategies that would be implemented through One-Health.
She noted that it would “Approach Health, Agriculture and Environment, 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.
“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 suffice she stated.
The minister was represented by Mallam, Stanley Jonah, Director of Planning and Statistics.
She maintained that “National Biosecurity Policy and Action Pian is based on the principle of shared responsibility.
“Furthermore, strengthening of basic border control, risk and impact assessment, quarantine capacity, capability of personnel, rapid response programmes and the employment of effective technology and scientific methods are strictly followed in the implementation of the National Biosecurity Policy and Action Plan.
“All stakeholders are 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.
“Therefore we must endeavour to aggregate our efforts towards ensuring a funding mechanism in achieving our goals. I promise that I will strongly advocate for robust funding for Biosecurity activities.
Director-General and Chief Executive officer of the National Agency for Biosafety Management, Dr Rufus Ebegba said national security guided the path of the document.
He stated that while organism has no boundary, the adoption of the draft policy by stakeholders was not just a milestone for the six years old agency, as the microbes are being fought by this document henceforth, upon its adoption.
In her remark, a representative of the European Union, (EU) Maja Boskovic who joined the strategic meeting for the adoption of the policy document on biosecurity said, the policy document would complement global effort at monitoring biological threats and accentuate African base.
She said they are already working in 14 countries on chemical biological safety issues, “Nigeria is a country filled with expertise and hope that the policy would be a possible document that will fill the dearth that currently exists.
“We hope that other action plans will be developed in this sector and we are ever ready to provide support and inputs in the security field globally.
For the African Union Development Agency, AUDA-NEPAD, represented by Jeremy Ouedraogo, who spoke online like Maja, he agreed that the document will fill the gap on the African continent and boost capacity as well.
“This national effort will complement global effort on training and capacity in Africa. Africa will benefit from the initiative of Nigeria,” Jeremy noted.
For professor, Garba Sharubutu, the executive officer of the Agricultural Resource Council of Nigeria, implementation of the law was critical as the country was not deficient in laws to govern.
He challenged the lead agency of government to be guided by the relevant provision of national safety even as he pledged that the new radio station of the agency would be open to receive and promote content on biosafety, biosecurity for the Nigerian audience.
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