By NOEL ONOJA

In view of the current security challenges faced by the country, the Federal government has put mechanisms in place to control and ensure that explosives, which are regarded as indispensable materials used in the mining sector do not get into the wrong hands.

This position was made known by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Mohammed Sada, at a stakeholder’s consultative forum on control of commercial explosives in Abuja.

“As you are all aware, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) have been widely applied by terrorists in causing considerable damage to lives and property especially in the northern part of the country, and investigations carried out by the government have revealed that more than 70% of IED detonated in Nigeria has major ingredients of ammonium nitrate, detonators and detonating cord.

“As a fall out of this, government is focusing attention on how best to control the importation, sale and use of these items. An Inter-ministerial Technical Committee, consisting of relevant ministries and security agencies has been set up to look into the best way possible to control the importation of ammonium nitrate and blasting accessories used in the formulation of IED by terrorists.”

He further explained that government has also gone ahead to classify ammonium nitrate as explosives, and has therefore placed the full control of the chemical substance under the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

“For the purpose of emphasis, NAFDAC and any other ministry or agency of government no longer has control over the product. This is in tandem with section 1 (1) of the Explosives Act, 1964 and Cap. 121 Part II of the Explosive Regulations of 1967 NAFDAC has been formally informed of the new dispensation.” The minister added.

With regard with to what the inter-ministerial team is expected to do, the minister said the team will carry out a nation-wide verification of all explosives storage facilities. They will also engage personnel and assess the security measures put in place in consonance with the provision of the Explosives Act and Regulations.

“The findings of the Task Team shall form the basis upon which deep security consideration shall be given in the control of Ammonium Nitrate and blasting accessories which are widely applied in the formation of IED,” he said.

Sada also revealed that government has commenced the review of the Explosives Act 1964, and Explosive Regulations of 1967, with a view to addressing the current security challenges under the law, adding that the draft copy will soon be presented to the public for its input.

“A data bank of all the explosives manufactured, imported, stored, transferred, sold and consumed has been created by the ministry, and the federal government is expectant of a situation whereby the explosives manufactured locally shall far overshoot the need of this country, so as to pave the way for exportation of same to neighbouring West-African countries and beyond,” Sada noted.