By: Dr Nimota Nihinlola Akanbi, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Nigeria
Nigeria signed the Chemical Weapons Convention on 13 January 1993 and ratified it on 1 March 1999. Since becoming a Member State, Nigeria has strongly supported all efforts to achieve the fundamental objectives of the CWC to prohibit the production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer and use of chemical weapons, as well as their total destruction within a time-bound framework. Nigeria also attaches great importance to the fulfilment of Article X, which seeks to provide assistance and protection against the threat or use of chemical weapons, and of Article XI that promotes the peaceful uses of chemistry and the exchange of scientific and technical information.
The inexorable drive towards globalisation continues. In such a world, no nation can isolate itself from the consequences of terrorism, or discount the possibility of the use of chemicals as weapons. In view of this, one can say that what affects Europe, America and Asia can equally be felt by countries in Africa. As the saying goes, “When you throw a stone in a crowded market place, it could fall on one of your own.” Consequently, the role of the CWC in the promotion of world peace and security cannot be over-emphasised. Nigeria has recognised the crucial role that the OPCW plays and unequivocally supports the OPCW’s mission.
To implement the CWC the Federal Government of Nigeria established a National Authority, which serves as the national focal point for domestic implementation of the Convention. The Chemical Weapons Prohibition Bill 2005 for the domestication of the CWC in Nigeria is in the last stages of completion and approval by the National Assembly of the Nigeria.
In order to create awareness among the top echelon of the public service of the executive arm of government, parliamentarians and strategic stakeholders, a workshop was recently organized by the National Authority with the assistance of the OPCW to facilitate the implementation process.
The Federal Government of Nigeria is determined to meet its obligation under the CWC, especially to submit in a timely fashion its annual declarations to the OPCW for the import and export of scheduled chemicals. Nigeria has submitted its Aggregate National Declaration for the year 2007 and remained transparent in its dealings with the OPCW by providing all information on its activities as and when required.
It is pertinent to note that the Federal Government further demonstrated its commitment to the objectives of the Convention by hosting the Third Annual Regional Meeting of National Authorities in Africa in October 2005. The meeting was significant as it provided momentum to the quest for universality in Africa as well as accelerated implementation of Article VII of the CWC by African States Parties. Recently, the Federal Government of Nigeria also responded to an appeal from the Secretariat for the funding of the Scientific Advisory Board by donating the sum of US $10,000.
Nigeria through its National Authority has always taken advantage of the various programmes offered by the International Cooperation and Assistance Division of the OPCW. Technically qualified Nigerian nationals have been selected for programmes like the Associate Programme and assistance and protection courses. Collaboration between the OPCW and the Federal Ministry of Environment, Housing and Urban Development in Nigeria and other partners was instrumental in organising a regional workshop on Chemical Hazard Communication and Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling (GHS) for implementation in the ECOWAS region.
With strong leadership provided by the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, the Organisation has been able to accomplish a number of important objectives in its relatively short span of existence. In conclusion, allow me to also reiterate the total commitment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the objectives of the CWC, for the total destruction of chemical weapons, the non-proliferation goals of the CWC and the promotion of the peaceful uses of chemistry.