Regulator assures Nigerian consumers of safe, wholesome GMO crops

*We want to assure the citizens that it is only safe products that will be allowed into Nigeria, says Dr. Rufus Ebegba, Director-General of National Biosafety Management Agency

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As part of measures to ensure safety in the application of modern biotechnology and deployment of the products, the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has assured Nigerians that there would be no unwholesome Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) crops in the country.

Dr. Rufus Ebegba, Director-General of NBMA, while speaking with reporters in Abuja, FCT, stated the major role of the regulatory agency is to ensure safety in the application of modern biotechnology and deployment of the products in Nigeria.

The agency has advised both importers and scientists, who would want to introduce the crops, to obtain a permit or risk sanction.

The NBMA will issue a licence before a product containing GMO material is imported into the country, said Ebegba.

The Director-General said: “We want to assure citizens that it’s only products that are safe that will be allowed into Nigeria.”

He as well disclosed the agency has given approval for importation of grains for industrial use.

The entire exercise would be religiously monitored for compliance, he assured consumers.