By Ajibola Adedoye
Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria through National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to urgently commence monitoring and pharmacovigilance conditioning towards relating the trade on chlorpyrifos and take corrective measures against anyone set up wanting.
Dr. Leslie Adogame, Executive Director, SRADev Nigeria who made the call during a press briefing on the National Situation of Chlorpyrifos In Nigeria on Thursday July 11, 2024 described Chlorpyrifos as a dangerous largely Dangerous Fungicides (HHPs) and banned in numerous countries but still finds its way into Nigeria and registered for use in Agriculture
According to him, Chlorpyrifos is a broad-diapason Organ Chlorine Pesticide (OCP), class of chemicals that were first developed by the Nazis for chemical warfare and latterly acclimated for marketable fungicide use after the break-up of the Nazi chemical outfit, now been in products for uses that can be astronomically divided into the several orders similar as agrarian uses (food and non-food crops) veterinary uses, uses in domestic settings, artificial uses or public health operations.
Also Read
He said, “this fungicide exposure has both mortal and environmental health consequences ranging from tearing of the eyes, watery nose, increased slaver and sweat product, nausea, dizziness and headache, with signs of progression similar as muscle shuddering, weakness or temblors, lack of collaboration, puking, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and pupil condensation with blurred or darkened vision.
“Signs of severe toxin include increased heart rate, unconsciousness, loss of control of the urine or intestine, storms, respiratory depression, and palsy”.
Speaking further, the SRADev helmsman editorialized that ‘There are actuality of significant exploration findings in Nigeria, which indicates the presence of attention of Chlorpyrifos remainders in vegetables (spinach, lettuce, cabbage, tomato and onion) and submarine biodata. This finding could be responsible for numerous cases of differences in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and organ damage in humans in Nigeria. Acute and habitual fungicide poisoning generally results from consumption of defiled food, chemical accident in diligence and occupational exposure in husbandry hence NAFDAC and National Environmental norms and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) should incontinently commence a public mindfulness raising conditioning with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) on the banned state of chlorpyrifos effective from 1st November 2024 as approved by the National Committee of Chemicals Management (NCCM) after its meeting on 22 May 2024.
“Government should also provide extension officers under the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) to give information on agro- ecology/organic
husbandry in Nigeria”.
While felicitating NESREA for gazetting the National Environmental (Hazardous Chemical and Pesticides) Regulations, 2023 earlier in the year 2024 which addresses the enterprises of largely Dangerous Fungicides among others, and NAFDAC’s recent ban of some HHPs effective 2024, Dr. Adogame still admonished them to further unite for enhanced agrarian sustainability towards attaining the SDG pretensions in Nigeria.
In his goodwill communication, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Honorable Minister, Federal Ministry of the Environment (FMoE) noted that the FMoE is one of the crucial driving forces for perfecting fungicides and crop protection programs towards safer, socially just, environmentally sustainable and economically feasible pest operation system. FMoE is the public focal point for the BRS Conventions.
Represented by Mrs. Olabimpe Adenike, the Minister said” These Conventions (The Basel Convention on the Control of Trans- Boundary Movement on Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, Rotterdam Convention on the previous-Informed Consent Procedure for certain Dangerous Chemicals and Fungicides in International Trade and Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Adulterants) exercise control on fungicides and dangerous chemicals”.
According to him” In 2002, Global Harmonized System (GHS) of bracket and Labelling of Chemicals was espoused and Nigeria was a party to it. FMoE being the designated authority and GHS is a functional tool for action and operation of chemicals.
“Chlorpyrifos exposure during gestation and immaturity results in neuronal blights and Parkinson’s complaint. It’s lipid answerable hencebio-accumulates to adipose towel like the liver. It causes variety of nervous diseases ranging from headaches, blurred vision and expectoration to seizures, coma and death depending on the quantum and length of exposure. Considering the inflexibility of the trouble of Chlorpyrifos to health and terrain, all stakeholders, Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and their Agencies, Nigerian Customs ServiceInter-Governmental Associations (IGOs), Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), growers, academia, trade unions, civil society and private sector should unite and timely address HHP which Chlorpyrifos is included and insure these fungicides are precipitously banned and entirely phased out” he submitted.
In his reflections, Mr. Victor Fabunmi, SRADev Nigeria’s Senior Programme Officer, bared that the 6-month study on “The National Situation of Chlorpyrifos in Nigeria” enforced under the aegis of the International Adulterants Elimination Network (IPEN) is one of our conditioning in espousing the Nation Situation of Chlorpyrifos, its significances, use and impact in Nigeria.
“The study carried out between June and November 2022 as part of our public crusade and mindfulness towards sustainable operation and the creation of safer druthers in Nigeria. The design thing was basically to establish the current status of Chlorpyrifos use and the creation of safer druthers to inform policy perpetration in Nigeria” he noted.
For your Press Conferences/ Adverts/Media Consultancy/Support
Contact the Editor via WhatsApp +2349097600508/+2348032339384 or Email: news@dailyinsight.com.ng & shinaayo110@gmail.com