World Class Biosafety state-of the-art Centre is to be established at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to enhance the country’s capacity to respond and dictate infectious diseases.
Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, the Japanese ambassador to Nigeria, stated this at the signing of agreements with the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, in Abuja.
The areas of agreement cover Enhancement of Rice seeds production system in Nigeria, and the Diagnostic capacity of the NCDC.
Mr Kazuyoshi said projects were testament to continued cooperation and shared commitment to improving the lives of Nigerian citizens.
He said the Japanese Government had supported Nigeria’s effort to tackle infectious diseases in the health sector
Ambassador Kazuyoshi explained that the Project for Strengthening Rice Seed Production System was aimed at meeting Nigeria’s increasing Rice demand by enhancing certified seed quality and boosting production. The initiative, he said, supports Nigeria’s goal to diversify its economy, which also has international potential of Agricultural export as 40% of the Sesame seeds consumed in Japan are sourced from Nigeria, demonstrating the high quality and global appeal of Nigeria’s Agricultural products.
The Ambassador pledged his country’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with Nigeria to achieve those goals and create a more resilient and inclusive future for the country.
Senator Bagudu, fr his part, noted, with satisfaction, that the two projects were aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s socio-economic development and the total well-being of its citizens.
He added: “This idea synchronizes with the Nigeria system as our main objective is to include everyone so that small-scale holders, particularly family-based, can do better rather than be displaced by large-scale farmers and mechanization”.
The Rice Seed Production Project is aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in rice Production and input substitution, focusing on enhancing quality of breeder and foundation seeds, equipment procurement for rice cultivation, testing, inspection and post-harvest processing.
It will also bolster the capacity of National Cereals Research Institution (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State, and its outstations.
The proposed sites for the project are in Niger and Oyo States.
The Project, strengthening Diagnostic Capacity of Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control, entails installing Biosafety level (BSL) 2 and 3 laboratories and equipment at the National Reference Laboratory of NCDC.
The initiative, which is being done in collaboration with the Japanese Government through the Japanese International Cooperation (JICA), will cushion infectious disease surveillance and national health security.
The proposed sites for the laboratories are Gaduuwa, Abuja and Yaba in Lagos state.