NAN-AE-10
Mercury
By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, July 18, 2017 (NAN) The United Industrialisation Development Organisation (UNIDO) says it has concluded the development of Nigeria’s Minimata Convention on Mercury Initial Assessment (MIA) and will present it to the Federal Government on July 20.
Mr Jean Bakole, the Regional Director and Country Representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS disclosed this at the inauguration ceremony of National Steering Committee of National Action Plan on Mercury in Abuja on Tuesday.
“UNIDO is supporting efforts toward early entry into force of the convention and assisting signatory parties toward ratification of its provisions through the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) enabling activities framework.
“It is worthy to note that UNIDO has just concluded the development of Nigeria`s Minamata Convention Initial Assessment, which is one of the biggest in the world.
“Also, will be officially presenting Nigeria`s Minamata Convention on Mercury Initial Assessment to the Nigerian Government on Thursday, July 20.
“The MIA will serve as a good baseline for the execution of this project and a further awareness platform in the country on mercury,’’ he said.
Bakole said that World Health Organisation (WHO) would serve as a co-executing agency alongside the Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and Federal Ministry of Health.
He said that some countries that had declared more significant activities of Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in their countries under the convention were expected to develop a National Action Plan on Mercury for the sector.
“As we may know the convention is the latest of chemicals management convention with an objective to reduce or possibly eliminate the effect of mercury on our health and the environment.
“It will also look at reducing or eliminating the anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury.
“The convention was declared open for signatory on Oct. 10 2013 and Nigeria as a country signed that same year.
“Presently, 128 countries are signed up to the convention as signatories and 70 countries have ratified as future parties,’’ he said.
Bakole said that the convention would come into force in Aug. 16, “which is 90 days after the ratification of the 50th future party’’.
He said that the first Conference of Parties (CoP) would be held in Geneva between Sept. 24 and 29.
“Some of the sectors highlighted in the convention are ASGM, energy, cement, medical, among others,
`But ASGM alone accounts for 37 per cent anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury to the environment`, which is the largest from a single sector or source,’’ he said.
He said that the National Action Plan for Nigerian project was collaboratively designed and it had the objective to build national capacity and capability for the management of mercury in ASGM through a national action plan.
Bakole said that the project would be looking at building a comprehensive analysis of the ASGM sector and strategies for formalisation, sustainable financing, gender, alternative technologies to mercury for global mining sector.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that mercury is a liquid metallic element formed naturally and is highly poisonous to human health and the environment.
Mercury poisoning can occur via inhalation of the vapour, which can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems as well as the lungs and kidneys.
People who use mercury could end up developing weakness in the muscles, skin rashes, kidney problems, memory loss as well as hearing, speaking and sight problems. (NAN)
VOE/GY
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Edited by Grace Yusssuf