KENYA
is set to benefit from a multi-billion ultra-modern regional center for
countering chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks in a
bid to enhance security and disaster response in the region.
The center, the eighth in the world, will be funded by the European Union at a cost of Sh5.7 billion.
EU ambassador to Kenya Lodewijk Briet said the center to be established in Nairobi is part of a broader security cooperation strategy among the EU, Kenya and the region.
The strategy includes countering violent extremism, the reduction of small arms, tackling piracy through an EU naval force in the Indian Ocean and developing stability in the horn of Africa.
"A year after the Westgate tragedy and with current threats like Ebola, and in partnership with Kenya, I am pleased to confirm the go-ahead for this important facility, which will improve security and disaster response across the region," Briet said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
"This demonstrates our support to our close ally, Kenya, on critical security issues that matter to a rapidly developing and globalising country and region," he said.
The establishment of the new center comes amid increased terror attacks in the country.
Briet also said a review of all Kenyan legislation concerning the storage, transport and security of hazardous chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials is expected to be undertaken by the center.
"Working in coordination with a number of ministries and agencies, the center will train officials across nine African countries in critical security and safety issues, including legislating dual-use chemicals, tackling pandemics such as Ebola, and handling terrorist attacks," Briet said.
He said the EU will soon conduct a needs assessment for procurement of specialist equipment for detecting hazardous materials.
Other countries that will be involved in the center include Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-191294/eu-and-kenya-partner-build-sh57-billion-disaster-response-centre-nairobi#sthash.mePPkkKt.dpuf
The center, the eighth in the world, will be funded by the European Union at a cost of Sh5.7 billion.
EU ambassador to Kenya Lodewijk Briet said the center to be established in Nairobi is part of a broader security cooperation strategy among the EU, Kenya and the region.
The strategy includes countering violent extremism, the reduction of small arms, tackling piracy through an EU naval force in the Indian Ocean and developing stability in the horn of Africa.
"A year after the Westgate tragedy and with current threats like Ebola, and in partnership with Kenya, I am pleased to confirm the go-ahead for this important facility, which will improve security and disaster response across the region," Briet said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
"This demonstrates our support to our close ally, Kenya, on critical security issues that matter to a rapidly developing and globalising country and region," he said.
The establishment of the new center comes amid increased terror attacks in the country.
Briet also said a review of all Kenyan legislation concerning the storage, transport and security of hazardous chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials is expected to be undertaken by the center.
"Working in coordination with a number of ministries and agencies, the center will train officials across nine African countries in critical security and safety issues, including legislating dual-use chemicals, tackling pandemics such as Ebola, and handling terrorist attacks," Briet said.
He said the EU will soon conduct a needs assessment for procurement of specialist equipment for detecting hazardous materials.
Other countries that will be involved in the center include Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-191294/eu-and-kenya-partner-build-sh57-billion-disaster-response-centre-nairobi#sthash.mePPkkKt.dpuf
KENYA is set to benefit from a multi-billion ultra-modern regional center for countering chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks in a bid to enhance security and disaster response in the region. The center, the eighth in the world, will be funded by the European Union at a cost of Sh5.7 billion. EU ambassador to Kenya Lodewijk Briet said the center to be established in Nairobi is part of a broader security cooperation strategy among the EU, Kenya and the region.
The strategy includes countering violent extremism, the reduction of small arms, tackling piracy through an EU naval force in the Indian Ocean and developing stability in the horn of Africa. "A year after the Westgate tragedy and with current threats like Ebola, and in partnership with Kenya, I am pleased to confirm the go-ahead for this important facility, which will improve security and disaster response across the region," Briet said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
"This demonstrates our support to our close ally, Kenya, on critical security issues that matter to a rapidly developing and globalising country and region," he said. The establishment of the new center comes amid increased terror attacks in the country. Briet also said a review of all Kenyan legislation concerning the storage, transport and security of hazardous chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials is expected to be undertaken by the center. "Working in coordination with a number of ministries and agencies, the center will train officials across nine African countries in critical security and safety issues, including legislating dual-use chemicals, tackling pandemics such as Ebola, and handling terrorist attacks," Briet said.
He said the EU will soon conduct a needs assessment for procurement of specialist equipment for detecting hazardous materials. Other countries that will be involved in the center include Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Courtesy: The Star Newspaper Online
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