Abuja – The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) says it will begin the prosecution of unregistered companies and institutions involved in modern biotechnology and genetic engineering practices in Nigeria by January 2016.
The Director-General of the agency, Mr Rufus Ebegba, disclosed the plan in Abuja on Monday at a media and stakeholders’ workshop on the role of media in promoting biotechnology development in Nigeria.
Ebegba regretted the concerns expressed by some members of the public against the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), adding that the products were safe for consumption and the environment.
According to him, GMOs are not manufactured but a swap of genes to ensure improved agriculture.
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“There are attempts by some individuals to cause unnecessary panic over matters surrounding genetically modified organisms.
“GMOs are not synthetic materials, they are not manufactured, it is a swap of genes to achieve an aim.
“Europe should not be used as a model. We shall adopt technologies that are safe for Africa and our nation.
“A safe modern biotechnology under a legal framework has ability to generate up to 25,00 jobs annually.
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“Nigeria is a country with diverse activities. The oil is failing Nigeria. We must move to other sectors that can help our nation to grow. If our conventional method of doing things are failing
us, we must move to advanced method of doing things.
“By January, anybody found using, handling, transporting, transiting or any activity of modern biotechnology or genetic engineering (without approval), we shall ensure they are prosecuted.
“Nigeria government will not allow any product that is not approved in our markets, in our farms or anywhere.’’
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In his remarks, the Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Lucy Ogbadu, said that GMO foods were safe and more nutritious.
Ogbadu, represented by the Head of Media of the agency, Mr Babajide Iletogun, said that GMOs could solve agricultural problems in Nigeria.
Mr Micheal Ette, the Organiser of the workshop and the Coordinator, Journalist for Social Development Initiative (JSDI), said the workshop was aimed at creating awareness among journalists.
According to him, it is also to ensure adequate reportage of safe modern biotechnology in Nigeria.
“We want to use our initiative to promote professional journalism. There will be need for a conscious effort to promote the development of modern biotechnology.
“We want the media to help educate the public to alienate their concerns against GMOs.’’
Mrs Rose Gidado, the Country Representative of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB), said that agriculture would not be a business without the use of biotechnology.
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“Without biotechnology, agriculture can hardly be used as a business because of low productivity that is being experienced by farmers.
“We have like three crops already in Nigeria that are undergoing confinement trials.
“By 2018, we are going to have the first genetically modified which is called BT Cowpea in Nigeria that will be released generally and farmers will have access to that.’’
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The workshop attracted civil society organisations and stakeholders from the environment sector. (NAN)