The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has commended the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) for setting the pace for the regulation of modern biotechnology in Africa.
A delegation from the AATF on a courtesy call to the agency on Monday, March 26, 2018 in Abuja said that the NBMA has registered Nigeria’s preparedness to deploy biotechnology in a safe and responsible manner.
Dr. Issoufou Kollo, leader of the delegation and Head, AATF West Africa, said that the whole continent has benefited immensely from the NBMA’s decision to play by the rules to ensure the practice of modern biotechnology poses no harm to human health and the environment.
“We have followed the activities of this young agency since its creation and we are proud to be associated with it. It has not only set the standard in Africa but has also shown that the Nigeria has put in the necessary safe guards in place for the deployment of modern biotechnology,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Rufus Ebegba, Director General/CEO, NBMA, informed the delegates of the modest achievements of the agency since its creation. He listed these to include: granting over four permits for Confined Field Trials and one for commercial release and capacity building for its staff.
Dr Ebegba also informed the guests of the establishment of the state-of-the-art GM Detection and Analysis Laboratory by the agency for the purpose of detection and analysis of GMOs in foods or crops.
