GMO products: NBMA`s DG urges Nigerians not to panic
NAN-AE-11
Products
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Nov.1, 2016 (NAN) The Director- General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr Rufus Ebegba, has advised Nigerians not to entertain fears concerning the issues of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) products.
Ebegba gave this assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday in reaction to the directive to withdraw all genetically modified foods from departmental stores.
“Nigerians do not need to worry, there is no cause for alarm, and the agency will make sure that things are done right in this country.
“One thing that I want people to understand is that, we are not saying that genetically modified organisms are bad but to be sure that what we are consuming are safe. “
He said the essence of the directive was to ensure that no genetically modified organism product that was not tested would find its way into the nation`s markets.
“The directive was to all department stores and super stores that are selling genetically modified foods, and not specific ones as reported by the press.
“It is to further streamline imported products and to strengthen the fact that Nigeria should not serve as a dumping ground for all kinds of GM foods.
“We must ascertain their status before they are allowed to be sold and the intention is not to target any super store because the media mentioned some, but we never mentioned any in particular. “
He said that although most genetically modified foods from other countries were certified, relevant agencies in Nigeria must do what needs to be done by doing its own certification to be double sure.
“NBMA is working to enforce the Nigerian laws and as well as to make sure that the international acceptable standards are met.
“I want to tell Nigerians that they should not panic, they should be rest assured that there is no genetically modified foods that are released in this country that is not safe.
“We want to create and enhance local knowledge in biosafety because it is not easy to identify these genetically modified foods if they are not labelled. “
He, however, said that experts are working together to make sure that all GMOs in the country are all labelled. (NAN)
EPA/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide
============================