By VICTORIA OJEME
Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, yesterday described health professionals as vital to the attainment of Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, in Nigeria The Minister  made this known at the 15th Mandatory Training Workshop on Environment, Laboratory and Standards, organized by the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria in Abuja.

Chukwu emphasized that the mandate of the institute is crucial  to the realization of the goals and objectives of the MDGs in 2015.  “The focus of environment by this workshop is a clear demonstration of sensibilities of the institute to global contemporary issues, taken into consideration the present day environmental challenges faced by humanity”

“Taking in to cognizance, the important role, Healthcare professionals portends in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, the National Strategic Development Plan and ultimately our vision 20/20/20, the need for this training programme cannot be overemphasized”

“Bearing in mind the mandate of the institute of Public Analyst of Nigeria, IPAN, as provided for in the IPAN Act Cap 1.16, LFN 2004, it is therefore obvious that the role and function of the Public Analyst is very crucial to the attainment of the objective and deliverables of NSHDP and MDGs by the target dates” he added.

The Minister however noted that the institute is constrained by lack of adequate funding necessary to enable it achieve some of the vital projects aimed at delivering environmental development to the country.

“I have noted with great concern the funding gaps militating against the completion of vital projects being embarked upon by the institute such as completion of the laboratory complex at Ibafo in Ogun state and the on going renovation works at the laboratory in Yaba, Lagos .

Against the background of inadequate funding,  the Minister urged the institute to consider taking loans from Development Banks. President of the Institute, Mr. Ganiyu Sanni, noted that “a number of policies, strategies and management approaches are now in place under the National policy on environment for the management of solid, liquid and gaseous waste as well as Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, which has been mandatory for all developmental projects”