FG approves ratification of Minimata Convention on mercury

By Helen Oji Abuja

Th e Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the ratification of the Minimata Convention for the control of mercury poisoning. Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibril, made this known while briefi ng reporters in Abuja.

Jibril said that the ratifi cation followed the memo submitted to the council by the ministry. Jibril said: “Th ere are so many gains to this. By signing and ratifying this convention, Nigeria will be in a position to benefi t technically from Nigerian banks, Customs culpable in N30trn ‘fraud’ in 11 years – Senate Th e Senate Committee on Customs, Exercise and Tariff has commenced investigation into the more than N30 trillion fraud allegedly carried out in the import, export value chain between 2006 and 2017.

Th e Chairman of the committee, Hope Uzodinma, made this known at an investigative meeting with some of the commercial banks, alleged to be accomplices in the fraud.

Th e chairman said the committee would do everything possible to ensure that the mandate given to it by the Upper Chamber to recover and block leakages would be carried out to the latter.

“You recall Senate in plenary mandated this committee to investigate and identify areas of revenue leakages in the entire import and export circle. Equity market gains N4bn funds that may be made available to the international community.

“We will also benefi t from training on issues that are related to Mercury poisoning. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals Development, there will be an interministerial committee to work out the modalities on how to access this funding from international donors.

“Mercury poisoning could cause heart, kidney, respiratory and memory diseases as well as aff ect unborn children and about 40 countries, including 18 African countries, had ratifi ed th

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