FG Reassures On Minamata Convention On Mercury Implementation

The Federal Government, has reiterated its commitment to implementing the Minamata Convention on Mercury through effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders across the country.
Minister of Environment, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, said this at a workshop on: “Capacity Strengthening for Implementation of Minamata Convention on Mercury in Nigeria”, organised by the ministry in Abuja.
Abubakar, represented by Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Abel Enitan, said that the collaboration with stakeholders would promote sound environmental management of mercury.
“These efforts will enhance the implementation of the project because mercury is a toxic metal that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust.
“Human activities in recent years have increased its concentration in the environment.
“Exposure to the elevated levels of mercury in the environment is detrimental to human health, especially fetuses and young children because of its toxicity to the nervous system,” he said.
The minister said that the objective of the workshop was to discuss the implementation activities as well as inform stakeholders and the public on the project.
According to him, the project is aimed at addressing the challenges being faced in the management of mercury in Nigeria and providing overall strategy for tackling its effects.
“The project aims to develop a National Implementation Strategy (NIS) for mercury management, National Action Plans for the cement, mercury in products, trade and supply, waste, environment and health sectors.
“Also, it aims at Mercury Information System (MIS) to assist in reporting information and sharing it among stakeholders,” he said.