Minamata Convention: Nigeria raises awareness for media, civil society as it targets April to complete MIA

As Nigeria finalises preparation towards  ratification of the Minamata Convention on mercury and to prepare ground for its successful implementation in the country, the Federal Government on Tuesday February 14, 2017 through the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the United Nations Industrial  Development Organisation (UNIDO) held a day-long awareness raising workshop for the media and non-governmental organisations in Lagos on the Minamata Convention mercury.

Similarly, the government has set a target of early April this year to complete the Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) that has the potentials to set the country in the right path to fulfilling its obligations under the Convention and place sound chemicals management at the forefront of Nigeria’s achieving the Sustainable Development Goals targets.

Essentially, the Tuesday workshop enabled the Nigeria Secretariat on Minamata Convention, UNIDO and UNITAR to give an overview of the Minamata Convention on mercury presented by Dr Idris Goji; the National activities towards the ratification and implementation of the Minamata Convention presented by Mr.  Olubunmi Olusanya; the Role of the Media and NGOs in the National implementation of the Minamata Convention presented by Mr. Oluyomi Banjo and a breakout session on the development of appropriate strategy for information dissemination on the Convention.

In his welcome address at the event, Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Charles Ikeah, represented by the Deputy Director of the department, Dr. Idris Goji, stressed that the role of the media and NGOs cannot be overemphasised in the actualisation of the objective of the convention. “Hence, we are engaging you early, as your full involvement will be fundamental to the implementation and success of the Minamata Convention in Nigeria”.

On the Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA), Goji disclosed that the process is ongoing and the target is to complete it by early April this year as he expressed confidence that with correct information on the convention to the citizenry, the country will be able to implement it.

He also expressed the gratitude of the Government of Nigeria to GEF, UNIDO and UNITAR for providing financial and technical support to the country to implement the MIA project.

In his goodwill message, Dr Chuma Ezedinma, UNIDO Regional Office, Abuja reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment towards working closely with the federal ministry of environment to implement its mandate by making available its capacity and capabilities, supporting inclusive and Sustainable Development to create and sustain Green Industries for Nigeria.

“UNIDO is supporting efforts towards early entry into force of the Convention, assisting Signatory Parties towards pre-ratification of its provisions through the Global Environment Facility’s enabling activities framework. Although Nigeria has demonstrated commitments to reducing anthropogenic emissions, concrete action on mercury at the national level will require specific considerations. UNIDO is presently supporting more than 30 countries in activities under the Minamata Convention. UNIDO will continue to promote the creation of Green Industries and support the Greening of existing industries in Nigeria and in the Sub-region”, he added.

Ezedinma urged the media and NGOs to get educated and rightly communicate to the populace the Convention as it also deals with the health and the environment.

Environment expert UNIDO, Mr. Oluyomi Banjo, who stood in for UNITAR, said governments are encouraged to create awareness on the convention and that the media has a role to play in the pre and post ratification of the convention.

It would be recalled that the Minamata Convention on mercury was negotiated by the global community including Nigeria between 2010 and 2013, adopted and opened for signature on 10 October 2013 at a Diplomatic Conference in Kumamoto, Japan to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and its compounds.

Nigeria signed the Convention on 10 October 2013 and is currently working towards the ratification and implementation of the convention in Nigeria.

The Convention will enter into force once 50 countries have ratified it. As Tuesday February 14, 2017, 128 countries have signed the convention while 38 countries have ratified it including 16 African countries.

In Nigeria, mercury pollution occurs majorly through human activities including: Artisanal Small Scale Gold Mining (ASGM); Cement Production; Use and disposal of mercury containing products; coal combustion and improper waste management.