The Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal has reassured the commitment of the Federal Government to phase-out highly hazardous pesticides responsible for poisoning and death in Nigeria.
The Minister disclosed this at the Two-day Inception Workshop recently held in Abuja to find lasting solutions to address the Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Nigeria in Collaboration with Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The Minister who was ably represented at the workshop by the Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Engr. Bahjjjahtu Hadiza Abubakar stated that the workshop is meant to champion a course in tackling pressing issues that threatens the health and well-being of Nigerian citizens, particularly farmers and farm workers.
According to the him, the wonderful thing about the Inception workshop was to raise awareness about the dangers of highly hazardous Pesticides and discuss strategies for improved decision-making and development of effective poisoning prevention measures.
He, however made it known at the event that the project was supported by the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP), University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom to partner with the Federal Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Food Security and NAFDAC to eradicate harmful pesticides in the country.
While speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi applauded the project team for the wonderful initiative.
Mr. Ogunbiyi who was represented at the event by the Director Farm Inputs Support Services (FISS) Department Mr. Abana Waziri Abba said, the ministry has been collaborating with major stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to get rid of highly hazardous Pesticides in the country.
In his goodwill message, the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, (FAO) to Nigeria Dr. Hussein Gadain reiterated that the organisation has been providing technical and awareness support to the government and actors that are working to reduce the great impact of highly hazardous Pesticides in Nigeria.
Mr. Ogunkowa Olufemi who represented the FAO representative to Nigeria revealed that the Organization remains committed to support the implementation of the project and alignment with the nation to phase-out highly hazardous Pesticides, strengthen regulatory framework and enhance adoption of mitigation of pesticides management in ecosystem.
The representative of the Centre for Pesticides Suicide Prevention (CPSP) University of Endinburg, UK applauded the wonderful collaboration the project will get from Nigeria government, adding that it’s a sign of success.
He said over 30 million Nigerians will be affected with highly hazardous Pesticides if urgent actions was not been put in place to remedy the situation.
Signed
Ibrahim Haruna
Director, Information and Public Relations
