Namibia still needs to do a lot before promulgating Chemical Weapons Act – Trade Minister – Windhoek Observer

Erasmus Shalihaxwe

The Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu, said even though Namibia has made progress towards the completion of the Chemical Weapons Act, a lot needs to be done to ensure that the country promulgates the law.

Iipumbu was speaking during the Integrated Advanced Course and Exercise on Assistance and Protection against Chemical Weapons for Anglophone States Parties, which is underway in Windhoek.

The minister stated that there has been an increase in chemicals by transportation and storage, increasing the potential of accidents on the roads and industrial sites. The accessibility of these chemicals by any potential individuals is also of concern.

Thus, there is a need to share valuable practical ideas on how countries intend to deal with such incidents to ensure the sustainable development of Africa because Africa’s industrialisation would be a win-win for the world.

“It would help raise productivity by spurring technological progress and innovation while simultaneously creating higher-skilled jobs in the formal sector in advanced economies. Africa’s industrialization would also promote linkages between rural and urban economies, and among consumers, intermediates and capital goods industries.

Embassy incidences in East Africa in 1998 are still well remembered and many lives were lost. Other incidences include leaking barrels of toxic waste in Nigeria in 1988, and the explosion of chemicals in South Africa in 2004 to mention but a few. Incidents of this nature presented us with an opportunity to draw lessons and to ensure that we are better prepared for such incidents and where possible, avoid them completely,” she stressed.

Iipumbu further stated that future predictions indicate that Africa will continue to see a trend toward urbanisation. The typical trend of urbanisation is higher consumption of industrial products. As a result, this scenario will result in higher household chemical usage throughout many developing and growing African urban centres. It is therefore imperative and incumbent upon governments to put in place mechanisms that can reduce the after-effects of chemicals.

“Our green industrialisation ambitions including our green hydrogen agenda present an opportunity to leverage best practices to ease our operationalisation. What is particularly important is for us to evaluate and keep an eye on the risks connected to the trade in chemicals and chemicals found in products. Therefore, as a region, we need to be strong in national implementations with realistic action plans to successfully implement all aspects of the convention,” she urged.