BNACWC for joint-work to ensure safety of chemicals

Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (BNACWC) Chairman Lt Gen SM Kamrul Hasan today urged all concerned to work together to ensure the safety of overall chemicals, including Scheduled Chemicals in Bangladesh. The BNACWVC chairman, also the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of Armed Forces Division (AFD), made the call in its 23rd General Meeting held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Department of Armed Forces here, said an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release today.

BNACWC chairman gave special directives to strengthen the safety management of chemical products at all ports of the country. Besides, the chairman gave special directives to prepare country’s important hospitals for the treatment of chemical disaster or accident victims as well as providing specialized training for doctors and medical personnel concerned, said the ISPR.

Forty three senior officials from various ministries, organizations and forces along with members of BNACWC took part in the meeting, which reviewed the progress of implementation of the decisions of the 22nd General Meeting regarding the effective implementation of chemical weapons convention regulations in Bangladesh. 

The meeting discussed about several important decisions taken earlier, consolidation of overall chemical safety in Bangladesh and effective measures to prevent chemical accidents. It also gave priority about taking the necessary steps for registration of concerned institutions with the BNACWC to properly regulate activities related to scheduled chemicals in the country, the release said. 

In the meeting, important guidelines were given to ensure safety during transportation of scheduled chemicals and other sensitive chemicals, including destruction of long-term stockpiled chemicals at Chittagong port. The meeting was informed that the capacity building of the Chemical Disaster Response Team (CDRT) formed by the forces to take quick action related to the accidents of the Bangladesh Chemical Warfare Agents is going on.