FG Unveils National Biosecurity Policy On Health, Environmental Safety

The federal government has revealed a National Biosecurity Policy and Action Plan, effective from 2022 to 2026 which aims at securing Nigerians health and preventing biological threats.

Chief Sharon Ikeazor, Minister of State for Environment, said, while unveiling the policy in Abuja, that it would help to sustain socio-economic development across the country.

She explained that the tools in the framework of the policy would help to analyze and manage risks in the sectors of food safety, animal life and health, plant life and health which associated environmental risk.

Ikeazor said: “It focuses on preventing the loss, theft, misuse, diversion or intentional release of pathogens, toxins, and other related assets against humans, animals, plants and the environment.

“It also focuses on putting measures in place to mitigate naturally occurring and emerging infectious diseases.

“Biosecurity is more important today than ever before due to the increasing threats of climate change which is altering the range, habitats and spreads of pests and diseases.

“Therefore, all implementing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are tasked to put all hands on deck to ensure that we effectively implement the policy.

“The MDAs should also help support the ministry through the NBMA in evaluating how well we have done in the biosecurity sector, as well proffer critical way forward for the next review of the policy.

“The obligation in the implementation of this policy is that we play our specific roles and synergistically work with each other in line with our respective mandates. “