Training on management of chemicals vital

LAWRENCE SERETSE
Corespondent | Friday February 24, 2012 00:00

Speaking at a chemical risk management workshop on Monday, he noted that training on preparation, handling, storage, transportation and safe disposal of toxic chemical products is invaluable.

The workshop, which is scheduled to run for a week, is the result of a partnership between the government and the Africa Institute of Environmentally Sound Management of Hazardous and other Wastes. It is also the first of its kind to be held in Africa.

'Only last year, in December 2011, Botswana through my ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa Institute. The sole intent of the partnership was to collaborate in the management of hazardous waste, and I am reliably informed that this training workshop will address the management of chemical waste and devise effective risk management plans for the region,' he said.

Motswagaee said Botswana has domesticated the three international conventions of Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm, which collectively deal with effective management of chemicals and their wastes.

The MEWT, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture have secretariats and national focal points for these conventions. The trio addresses the fundamental challenges of chemical waste management through established international protocols, committees and appropriate stakeholder institutions.

Motswagae revealed that Botswana has achieved some key milestones in adhering to the Multilateral Environmental Agreements on the effective management of chemicals, including the development of a National Implementation Plan (NIP) for the management of chemicals, which outlines a programme of action towards eradicating unwanted or banned chemicals.

'A notable development for Botswana was the preparation of an inventory on hazardous chemicals including dioxins and furans that are detrimental to human life and the environment.

The agricultural sector has developed structures to undertake the management and control of chemicals,' he noted.He explained that the process included the licensing and training of dealers as well as the monitoring, importation and usage of chemicals. The current estimate of agrochemicals stored and awaiting safe disposal to recognised centres outside the country stand at 70 metric tonnes.

He said that the international concern about the danger of hazardous chemicals to human beings and the environment was brought to the fore during the United Nations Conference on  Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.

Consequently, the international community responded by establishing international instruments otherwise known as Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) for chemicals and waste control.

Motswagole said the workshop will present opportunities for the promotion and strengthening of international cooperation in the management of transboundary movements of hazardous waste. 

He said that it is important for all chemicals and waste regulatory bodies in the region to cooperate and share resources so as to augment each other's efforts.