EAC States move to tame chemical risks

Labour state minister Esther Anyakun addresses participants at the 7th operational training on chemical emergency response, planning and management for the East African Community (EAC) partner states in Jinja City on December 3, 2024. PHOTO/ABUBAKER KIRUNDA
What you need to know:
- Ms Anyakun said in Uganda some effects of poor handling of chemicals have already manifested in some industries.
The East African Community (EAC) member states have conducted the seventh training on handling of chemical materials in an effort to tame numerous effects associated with them.
Speaking during the opening of the chemical emergency response planning and management training in Jinja on Tuesday, the state minister for Labour, Employment and Industrialization, Ms Esther Anyakun, said chemical materials are increasingly becoming a threat despite being part of development.
“Industrialization is everywhere in East Africa where chemical materials are used. Therefore, training people in handling them is paramount,’’ Ms Anyakun said.
“In Uganda our developing petroleum industry is associated with exploding of pipes. So, equipping skills for those managing them should be strengthened,” she added.
Ms Anyakun hailed the United Kingdom government and Czech Republic for the continuous funding of the trainings in chemical material handling in East African states.
Ms Anyakun said in Uganda some effects of poor handling of chemicals have already manifested in some industries.
“We have reports of workers being burnt by chemicals and explosion in factories although not on a large scale which call for equipping of knowledge to people handling industries,’’ Ms Anyakuni said.
Ms Anyakun said Uganda subscribed to the organization of prohibition of chemical weapons [OPCW] so the citizens are protected from dangerous chemicals.
Mr Baba Tunde, an official from OPCW expressed gratitude towards the presence of Somalia’s representative in the training since explosions are common there.
“I am happy that Somalia has joined the struggle against chemical materials with the presence of the delegate here,’’ Mr Tunde said.
He said OPCW is committed to preparing States in chemical materials control by training experts.
Mr Alex Ogwal who represented the permanent secretary Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social development said this training will not help to reduce risks associated with chemical materials use, but also strengthened the cooperation’s between the East African member states.
The 11-day training attracted delegates especially from security chemical Laboratories from the countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Dr Congo, Somalia, Burundi and Rwanda among others.