NAN-AE-6
Biothreat
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, March 1, 2017 (NAN) An expert in Biosafety Management, Mr Paul Keese, says development and integration of research, education, policy and regulation will address Biothreats in the country.
Keese, a former Biosafety Manager, Australia’s Biosafety Regulatory Agency, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said that Nigeria as a country must understand the complex nature of Biorisk to prevent the underlying common features.
“Biorisk is a multifaceted problem; so, we need to understand the underlying common features and advocate practical solutions relevant to the Nigerian and African context.
“ Therefore, development and integration of four key pillars, education, research, regulation and policy, will be required to construct enduring systems that address both present and future biothreats in Nigeria.’’
He said that Nigeria should build and deliver a world class higher education on Biorisks and Risks.
“Education is the foundation for long term sustainability which will successfully address biorisks and the effectiveness of the interventions will depend on the quality of the education.
“Therefore, a consortium of universities with international standards and curriculum should be established to provide a comprehensive coverage of biorisk.”
According to him, this include plant and animal biosecurity, public health, food safety, biotechnology safety, risk analysis, natural resource management, biocontainment, biocontrol and bioremediation, legal frameworks and regulation.
He, however, advised that courses and teaching materials should be harmonised between universities to allow sharing of resources and expertise, provide cost effectiveness, and facilitate the quality assurance process.
“Researchers should be well placed to identify important research projects relevant to Nigerian needs, which will be enhanced through partnerships with national research institutes and international organisations with a strong presence in Nigeria.
“This will provide support for intensified and sustainable agriculture by reducing biorisks in crop and animal production, fisheries and forestry.
“And promote public health by reducing the incidence and impact of disease, including zoonotic and vector borne diseases and apply foresight techniques that will identify new and emerging disease threats.’’
He said that the agencies responsible for checkmating biothreats like Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), food safety, biosecurity and live vaccines that were subject to national regulation should be properly funded.
“Fragmentation of these agencies across various ministries and legal instruments hampers effectiveness, consistency and coordination.
“So, building capacity and skills of existing regulatory agencies in the principles of good decision-making, improved administrative procedures and technical analysis cannot be over emphasised.
“Establish national biorisk networks amongst regulatory agencies to provide a forum where regulatory and technical issues can be discussed, thereby enhancing inter-agency cooperation.
“And promote a consistent approach to evidence-based decision-making across regulatory agencies and provide cross-agency training and professional development opportunities for agency staff.’’ (NAN)
EPA/OFN
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Edited by Felix Nwadioha