The new Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency of Nigeria NBMA, Dr. Agnes Asagbra, has called for synergy between stakeholders involved in modern biotechnology, to ensure its safe application for the benefit of Nigerians.
Dr. Asabgra made the call in Abuja the nation’scapital when the team of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) paid a courtesy visit to the Agency.
She noted that the Agency would continue to ensure the safety of GMOs to humans, animals and the environment for economic benefit as well as ensure bio-security in Nigeria.
Dr Asabgra also said that the task of safeguarding Nigerians is not one to be done alone while calling on the AATF to stand with Nigeria in its campaign for Biosafety and Bio-security.
She said; “I am told that AATF understands the importance of Biosafety to the success of their activities and have advocated for a strong biosafety system in Nigeria through their support for the training of lawyers on Biosafety issues, study tours, adherence to biosafety tenet and public awareness/communication programmes.
“We wish to ask that we continue to enjoy such support and to further discuss areas within your policy that will enhance our National Biosafety system.”
According to Dr Asabgra, there is a need to enhance public confidence in Nigeria’s biosafety system.
She noted that while Nigeria is being celebrated in the global biosafety space, at home there are still some who are bent on misleading the public with unscientific facts.
“Under my watch as DG NBMA and with the power vested in the Agency, I will resist every action contravening the NBMA Act 2015 as amended in 2019. Let it be known that it is only GMOs confirmed safe by NBMA, after carrying out a risk assessment and risk management that will be permitted in Nigeria. The government’s goal of establishing the National Biosafety Management Agency must be achieved, and all hands must be on deck,” she said.
Dr Asabgra said; “Indeed, Dr Rufus Ebegba laid a solid foundation in the regulation of Modern Biotechnology in Nigeria and Africa in general, in ensuring an adequate level of protection in the field of safe transfer, handling, and use of genetically modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology. Under my watch, the Agency will not rest on these laurels or lower the standard already set. No, we will strive to consolidate on all that has been put in place and strengthen the areas of weakness.”
The Leader of the AATF team and Executive Director of the foundation Dr. Canisius Kanangire congratulated Dr. Asagbra on her appointed and expressed pride over the fact that Nigeria has been the first African country to commercialize BT cowpea and Tela Maize.
Kanangire said; “Cowpea has revolutionised the industry due to its immense benefits to farmers and Nigerians and this is why other African countries are following the footsteps of Nigeria as many are now accepting the commercial release of the BT cowpea and Tela maize.”
The team however presented her with their newly developed strategy which will be used for the next five years.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
