The Director General (DG) of National Biosafety Management Agency, NBMA, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, has said biosecurity has become a global matter that needed to be given greater attention with the eruption of different diseases due to infectious organisms like the novel Coronavirus otherwise known as COVID-19.
The Director General stated this at the Second Review Meeting of the Draft National Biosecurity Policy and Action Plan held in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) in Abuja.
Ebegba said the issue of biosecurity had become more eminent, while applauding the WHO for the consistent support it has given to the Biosafety agency in its unwavering determination and commitment to come up with a draft document for consideration and approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in the formulation of the country’s National Biosecurity Policy.
In the words of the DG, “The issue of biosecurity cuts across boundaries. The world must stand together to ensure that infectious organisms are properly contained. We recognise the role played by WHO that has supported this process right from the zero draft presentation, first presentation and this current presentation for review.
“The role of WHO shows that they have the world at large as their territory. WHO has a major role to play to ensure that everyone on earth is secured. It is that role that it is playing by supporting this process.”
Ebegba further stated that the NBMA mandate and scope of operation was expanded in 2019 via an amendment of the Act establishing the agency to include the issues of biosecurity and regulation of new and emerging biotechnologies.
“We are aware that there are various ministries, agencies and departments playing various roles on issues on biosecurity, these roles will remain with those organizations, we will support those roles, and this policy is to strengthen those roles and the law to ensure that anyone that uses biological agents maliciously will be prosecuted and the person or organization will face the full wrath of the law.
“Nigeria as a country must be secured; it is on that note that the federal government sees the issue of this national biosecurity policy as a major national assignment”, Ebegba explained.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Representative of the Country Representative of WHO, Dr Philip Zorto, said the organization coordinating health matters worldwide will continue to support the NBMA in the pursuit of the actualization of its mandate.
He expressed confidence in the works of the NBMA team and assured that before the end of 2021, the policy document was going to be ready for presentation to the FEC, believing that it will thereafter become a working document for the country.
The WHO representative noted that with the high rate of diseases transferred from animal to man, the policy document is imperative as one of the global best practices.
He added: “So, all over the world, people are coming together to ensure that under the One Health approach, people from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, agriculture, come together under one health approach and ensure that human beings are protected against all the biothreats and biohazards.
“WHO will continue to support the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure that the policy document is completed before the end of this year, and become a working document.”
The Ministry of Environment Permanent Secretary, who was represented by Mrs. Bolanle Ajayi, said: “This journey so far in developing this policy to meet international best practices taking into consideration our national priorities has been worthwhile.
“An achievement credited to collective consciousness to safeguard our ecosystem from threats arising from intentional or unintentional use of valuable biological materials.”
The policy being reviewed preparatory to its presentation by NBMA to the Federal Executive Council will provide a structure for the efficient coordination of biosecurity checks and activities, with a view to developing applicable guidelines and implementing pertinent laws, regulations and strategies for best practices in all areas of biosecurity.
