The National Bio-safety Management Agency (NBMA) will ensure that genetically modified crops are safe before they are released into the market.
According to a statement on Saturday, the Director General of the agency, Mr Rufus Ebegba, gave the assurance when he received members of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Kaduna State Chapter in his office in Abuja.
According to him “Commerce is key to our agency as trade is directly linked to products of modern biotechnology, but farmers can be rest assured that the Nigerian government will not do anything that will cause economic harm to them.”
He noted that the agency is strictly regulatory and does not promote modern biotechnology or its products Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Responding, Mr Matthew Obogbaimhe, Chairman of the state chamber said the purpose of the visit was to learn more about the activities of the agency and seek ways to collaborate and synergise with it.
He pledged the Chambers’ support to the activities of the NBMA.
“We will sensitise our members about the mandate of the agency and enlighten them about issues of genetically modified organisms.
“This will help our members, and the Nigerian public in general, to be on the same page with the agency to ensure that our health is secured.’’
