Ministry Partners MDAs On Nano-Technology

The Ministry of Environment will collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies to ensure a sustainable and environmentally friendly Nano-technology development, the Minister, Mrs Hadiza Mailafia, has said.

Mailafia, represented by Mr AbdulKazeem Bayero, a Deputy Director in the ministry, said this at the final of Nano-Safety Endorsement Workshop in Abuja recently.

Nano-technology is an enabling technology that is expected to result in major changes across many industrial sectors and to contribute to novel materials, devices and products.

It is a project meant to protect the citizenry from the adverse effects of improper use and handling of chemicals.

The Nano-technology safety pilot project is part of the efforts by the Federal Government and the international community to safeguard the environment from undue exposure to hazardous chemicals.

According to her, the project is also aimed at eliminating experience Nigeria has had with e-waste.

She expressed the hope that the project would put Nigerians on the right path toward a sustainable environment.

The minister further said that the project would provide for a wider dissemination of the existing knowledge and allow for research and development of manufactured nano-material, including the safety dimensions in a growing economy like Nigeria.

According to the minister, the project has made significant progress with major deliverables in national Nano-safety priority.

She also noted that the project would strengthen national capacities in both public and private sectors on Nano-safety issues.

Also speaking, the Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Mrs Olufunke Babade noted that nano-technology and manufactured nano-materials were still limited with a low level of awareness.

Babade, represented by Mrs Abiola Olanipekun, the coordinator of the project, said that awareness would be raised on the subject matter to justify the relevance and import of the technology toward developing the country’s economy.

She said that Nano-technology would usher in a new realm of science that would provide solutions to many of the nations’ problems ranging from medical diagnostics to energy storage.

‘’There is need to strengthen the Ministry of Environment and promote participation in research and other efforts to increase scientific understanding.

‘’There is also need to facilitate assessment of data needs for regulated products.’’