ICCON raises awareness on chemical safety, security in Rivers

The Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON) has raised awareness on chemical safety and security, stressing the need to secure hazardous chemicals.

The Council took the awareness to communities in Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

President and Chairman of the Council, Prof. Fanna Inna-Abdulrahman at the commencement of the awareness programme in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said, chemical accidents have, over the years, caused serious damage to humans and the environment.

Represented by the Vice President of the institute, Majek Owoo, Prof. Inna-Abdulraham lamented that the implication of letting chemicals get to the hands of terrorists is worse than imagined.

According to her, the sensitisation was aimed at ensuring a safe and secure chemical environment, stating that following the prevalence of insecurity, it is important that hazardous chemicals are secured.

“In recent years, terrorist activities have been rampant in the country and these are not unconnected with the fact that people who are handling these chemicals have evil intentions in handling them. They are not supposed to have access to the chemicals and that is where the security aspect comes in.

“We are talking about safety, preventing these chemicals from affecting the public and securing the chemicals from people so that they will not be able to misuse them,” she said.

According to her, preventing this and raising the bar against accidents as well as terrorist attacks is a responsibility shared by governments and industry.

She added that stopping the misuse of chemicals couldn’t be done by rules and regulations alone, insisting that it also requires a high degree of awareness and shared vision.

She said: “We can not separate ourselves from chemicals because on daily bases we need them. But when it comes to abuse in cases where people use them to cause terrible hazards in the environment it is not acceptable.”

On his part, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of ICCON, Jwalshik Wilford, expressed optimism that the awareness of the use of chemicals will mitigate accidents at homes, workplaces, and schools, noting that if chemicals are not properly handled can cause hazardous effects.

Some participants who spoke with The Guardian said the workshop was an eye-opener.

According to Paul Idiozor, “This is an eye-opener because before now, I get in contact with chemicals such as raw cement without protecting myself and some of our cleaning chemicals I use teeth to tear the sachet but I know that they are hazardous and I will start protecting myself.”

The Registrar, Jwalshik Wilford, presented participants at the event with certificates.